Nigeria boss Stephen Keshi hit out at Sidney Sam after the Germany-based midfielder failed to respond to his phone calls to discuss a possible call-up to the Super Eagles.

Sam, who plays for German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, is eligible for both Nigeria and Germany for whom he has played at junior level from under-16 up until under-21 levels.

“I have called Sam over 15 times and each time the phone dovetails into voicemail. I have always left a message, but the player has not responded to any of my messages,” Keshi was quoted as saying Kickoff.com on Thursday.

“That to me is shocking and says a lot about his readiness or otherwise to play for the Super Eagles.”

Keshi also said he would not excuse Sam if he declined to answer the calls because he did not speak English.

“That also does not jell with me, because there are several Nigerians who speak the German language fluently and if he writes in his native language we can easily infer whether he wants to play for us or not,” he added.

Sam joined Leverkusen in July 2010 and has scored 11 goals in 48 German league games plus six appearances in the Champions League.

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