Matip close to Cameroon return, says Seedorf

Liverpool's Joel Matip

Thursday Oct 11, 2018. 17:16

Cameroon head coach Clarence Seedorf has revealed that he is close to persuading Liverpool defender Joel Matip to come out of international retirement.

The 27-year-old hasn't featured for the Indomitable Lions in three years, and rejected a call-up to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon which Cameroon would go on to win with victory over Egypt in the final.

Seedorf, though, is confident that Matip will return to the national setup in the near future, but failed to specify when exactly that will be.

"Matip is a very good player and we spoke to him before the game against Comoros," Seedorf is quoted as saying by BBC Football.

"He was injured and unavailable, but we have continued talking to him. We don't want to rush with him.

"Matip asked for some time to get back in shape and that's very important. He is a player we're optimistic about and we'll see what the future brings."

Cameroon, who have already qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament by virtue of being hosts, next face Malawi in Yaoundé on Friday.

Matip has racked up 27 appearances for Cameroon since his debut in 2010, with his only goal coming in a 4-1 defeat to Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.