“If I played against Gabon, I would have stopped playing for more than a month,” says Algeria’s defender Karim Matmour

Algeria’s striker Karim Matmour said he preferred to leave the national team’s training last week to undergo intensive treatment in a very sophisticated clinic in Germany.

• Matmour denied media allegations that he left the training camp because of a dispute with a player. “I am friendly with all the national players,” he told Echorouk in an interview.
• Algeria’s fans are wondering why did you leave the training camp and did not play the friendly match against Gabon. Can you explain why?
• The reasons are clear. I was injured when playing for my club in Germany because of the intensive trainings. After I had participated in the first training séance with the national team in Algiers, I felt pains in my feet. Because of that, I stopped training.
• Why didn’t you complete treatment in Algeria?
• I called my club’s doctor and he advised me to go to Germany for treatment in a sophisticated clinic. I was treated by the laser and I recovered after 48 hours.
• But your injury was not serious and you were able to play against Gabon.
• If I played against Gabon, I would have stopped playing for more than 30 months.
• Did coach Saadane accept that you leave the training camp?
• Of course. I talked to him.  He understood my decision and wish me recovery to be ready against Tanzania.
• Some news reports said you left the training because you disputed with a player. What is your comment?
• That does not make sense. I am friendly with all the national players and I have never had quarrelled with any one of them.
• Algeria was defeated by Gabon in a friendly match. What may you say about this disappointing result?
• We must not judge the national team’s performance in a friendly match. We should fix our errors and we have to play well against Tanzania.
• But Algeria’s fans were angry at the coach and some players. What is your comment?
• I understand their reaction because they were expecting positive results. We will be equal to our job against Tanzania.