Last update - 00:00 12/03/2007
Tamuz accepts temporary residency, likely to rejoin national team
By The Associated Press
Beitar Jerusalem striker Toto Tamuz accepted temporary residency status Monday, paving the way for the Nigerian-born son of illegal immigrants to rejoin the Israeli national soccer team and face England in a European Championship qualifier later this month.
The 18-year-old Tamuz has fought a long battle to gain Israeli citizenship and even dropped out of a friendly match against Ukraine last month in protest.
But the Interior Ministry has only been willing to extend Tamuz's temporary residency status, which could be converted to permanent citizenship within five years.
Tamuz was raised in Israel and speaks fluent Hebrew, and is the top scorer in the Premier League.
Tamuz initially rejected the extension offer, but he collected his temporary travel document from the interior ministry in Petah Tikva on Monday.
"I am happy that I have received my temporary travel document and now I will be able to play for the national team," Tamuz said. I hope that [national team coach] Dror Kashtan will pick me. This hasn't been an easy process. It has taken a long time and now I am happy that it is behind me."
On Tuesday, Kashtan is expected to name his squad for the European Championship qualifying games against England and Estonia.
Tamuz has played top level soccer in Israel for less than two years but has already established himself as one of the stars of the local league. He has scored 12 goals for Beitar Jerusalem this season in all competitions.
Tamuz has already played twice for Israel, scoring on his debut in a 4-1 win over Andorra in September and setting up Israel's goal in a 1-1 draw in Russia the following month.