Samuel Eto’o reportedly rejects Joel Matip’s request to return to Cameroon ahead of World Cup

Samuel Eto’o the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has reportedly rejected Joel Matip’s plea to play for the Indomitable Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Recall, the Liverpool player turned down numerous chances to play for Cameroon and recently rejected the chance to represent the Indomitable Lions at 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.”

“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,” said Matip in 2021.

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

Fast forward, Joel Matip is said to be interested in playing for Cameroon again ahead of the November World Cup but Samuel Eto’o is not having it according to reports.

“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 honor this nation in bad and in good times. I myself 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.”