Eto’o Rejects Matip’s Offer To Play For Cameroon

Cameron soccer legend and President of the country’s Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o has reportedly declined  Joel Matip’s request to be part of the Indomitable Lions squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

The 30-year-old Liverpool defender who was born in Bochum, Germany but has Cameroonian heritage, opted not to play for Cameroon again about five years ago. 

The Reds player was a key member of the Indomitable Lions and even represented Cameroon at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

But he turned down numerous invitations to play for the West African country, including an invitation to represent the Indomitable Lions at the last African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which they hosted.

“It’s done now and I’m looking to the future,’ Matip told Sportsmail in 2017.

“I only wanted to stay here and play. It was not easy because I didn’t understand what was going on. Now the problem is solved and I can concentrate on Liverpool.”

Again, in 2011, the defender was quoted to have said, all efforts to play for his country proved abortive and he would be concentrating on club football. 

Matip said, “No. I tried to play there and represent my country, do my best and achieve something but all the surrounding things were not the best to do this, ” 

” It is Africa and you can never compare it to European things. I’ll concentrate on Liverpool. It’s done,” he added.

However, recent reports suggest the defender is now seeking a return to the Indomitable Lions to play for the country at the November World Cup. 

But According to Pulse. ng,  the President of the country’s soccer federation, Samuel Eto’o has rejected the offer, insisting that only players who made the sacrifice to get to the World Cup will be in Qatar. 

He advised Matip to continue to concentrate on his club’s football in Liverpool, as he tells him his time with the national team is over. 

He said, “This is a national team. We don’t tolerate people who think they are the special ones. Who only want to be with us when they see honey and fruitfulness.

“We worked hard alone, and we have big respect for players who honour this nation in bad and in good times. I had been on the best teams in Europe, but I have never undermined playing for the Lions.

“I think Matip’s times are over, he must permanently stay in Liverpool. Those who started this job will finish it in Qatar. It doesn’t matter who they are, but they are going to Qatar to enjoy the fruits of qualifying.

“No one will eat their fruits of success, but them.”

Source: The Niche