Samassa gets Mali swap go-ahead

The Valenciennes striker (right) can swap from France to Mali

Former French junior international Mamadou Samassa has been given permission to play first-team football for Mali.

The 23-year-old striker was called into the Eagles squad for their 2010 World Cup qualifier against Benin before Fifa had ruled on the case.

Now football's world governing body has given its approval to the move.

It clears the way for him to take his place in the line-up in Cotonou on Sunday.

Fifa recently changed its rules - removing the age limit of 21 for players to swap nationalities.

Samassa, who plays for Valenciennes in the French league, was a French under-21 international but because his parents are from Mali he is entitled to dual nationality.

Mali must win the Group D qualifier in Cotonou to keep alive their remote hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals.