WORLD football-governing body, FIFA has finally cleared Foluwashola Ameobi and Victor Moses to play for Nigeria at the international level.In separate documents on the two players sent to the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday evening, FIFA declared that both players have been cleared based on the entire documentation remitted by the NFF and the Football Association.Ameobi, of English Premiership side Newcastle United FC, and Moses, who also plays in the Premiership with Wigan Athletic, have been on the verge for some months now and would be glad with the decision of FIFA's Single Judge on eligibility.'After having thoroughly examined the entire documentation remitted by the Nigerian Football Federation, the Single Judge concluded that the player Victor Moses fulfils the objective prerequisites as provided for in art. 18 par. 1 of the Regulations. In particular, the player has never represented the Football Association representative team at 'A' international level.'Furthermore, the Single Judge also took due note of the fact that, based on the document dated 7 July 2011, issued by the 'National population commission' in Garki-Abuja, Nigeria, the player in question already held the Nigerian nationality before representing England for the first time in an international match in a U-17 official competition on 23 March 2007 as he is a Nigerian citizen by birth'. The same statement was made in the case of Shola Ameobi.The decision was made on 26 October, 2011 by the Single Judge of the Players' Status Committee, Mr. Chuck Blazer (USA). He underscored: 'The request made by the Nigeria Football Federation and the player for change of Association team is accepted'.Meanwhile,SUPER Eagles friendlies against Botswana and Zambia are slated for Kaduna and Benin City respectively as Nigeria has given the capital city of Abuja a dismiss.Nigeria failed to beat Guinea in Abuja earlier in October and the fans in the city have failed to come out in their numbers to create an intimidating atmosphere in favour of the Eagles.The Eagles will therefore tackle surprise 2012 Nations Cup finalists The Zebras of Botswana in Kaduna on November 11 and four days later they will test the readiness of another Nations Cup qualifier Zambia in Benin City.These matches will be the first tests for the new Eagles coach who is expected to replace sacked Samson Siasia by Wednesday.Officials said the matches will not be played in Abuja because of the state of the playing pitch as well as the need to get fans from across the country to relate more with the national team.Officials further informed MTNFootball.com the Eagles will be kept busy with top friendly matches so as to improve the country's FIFA ranking particularly now that this would be affected by the failure to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup.The rankings will be used for the draw for the final qualifying playoffs for the 2013 Nations Cup to be played in September and October next year.Nigeria will battle Rwanda in the first half of next year for a place in the playoffs.
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