Cameroon manager Hugo Broos has revealed he is unhappy with Liverpool defenderJoel Matip's decision to prioritise club over country.
Matip has previously been on record saying he felt it more important to secure his position at his club side rather than play international matches for Cameroon, but with the Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching, Broos has claimed he will speak with the 25-year-old in the hope of convincing him to turn out for his country in January.
When I took over as coach, I went to see him in Gelsenkirchen and ask him to return to the team,� Broos toldBelgian Voetbal Magazine, via KickOff.
But he said to me ˜nothing is organised properly in Cameroon'. I asked him to give me a chance to prove that we could do it better but he was not convinced.
But in the meantime, I've heard that he is now prepared to make a comeback and so I am going to go and see him again,� said Broos.
Cameroon are among the favourites for the tournament, while the likes of the Ivory Coast and Algeria arealso expected to battle fiercely for the trophy. Speaking to the Telegraphback in September, Matip claimed he would concentrate on playing for Liverpool but also statedthat a return to the Cameroon team was not out of the question.
I would say at the moment I will be concentrating on Liverpool. It is a long time until January so you never know, but that is the idea,� Matip stated.
Last year I had injury problems. The extra games and travelling were going to make it harder for me. I had to listen to my body and it told me that the international week was the right time to have a break.
I spoke with the Cameroon manager and he was not happy, but I have to do what is right to be 100 per cent and make sure I am not injured again, especially at an important time in my career starting at Liverpool.�