What an incredible moment for Comoros
Defender Chaker Alhadhur was forced to play in net with Comoros’ three ‘keepers – Ali Ahamada, Salim Ben Boina and Moyadh Ousseini – all unavailable for the Round of 16 tie as the Indian Ocean islanders were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by host nation Cameroon.
Despite Ahamada despite testing negative for covid-19 on the morning of the match, CaF rules state a player who tests positive for covid must isolate for five days before taking another PCR test 48 hours before the next game.
The Comoros football federation (FFC) confirmed that Ahamada was among several players and management staff affected by an outbreak on Saturday – meaning he was banned from playing in the match.
As well as Alhadhur, Kassim Abdallah, Alexis Souahy, Nakibou Aboubakari, Mohamed M’Changama and head coach Abdou were all missing.
With left-back Alhadhur starting in between the sticks, Cameroon were expected to run away with the match and dominate processings – especially when Comoros captain Jimmy Abdou was sent-off before half-time.
However, Comoros pushed the Indomitable Lions all the way, restricting them to just one shot on target in the first-half, as well as creating some very decent chances for themselves.
Incredible. Absolutely incredible.#AFCON2021
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 24, 2022
While Toni Conceição’s side doubled their lead in the second period, the highlight of the game came courtesy of stand-in shot-stopper Alhadhur, with the defender making a spectacular double save.
He denied the tournament’s top goalscorer Vincent Aboubakar in the first place, before pushing Moumi Ngamaleu’s rebound strike away to safety.
Things got even better for Comoros when they pulled a goal back late into the match when Youssouf M’Changama converted a spectacular free-kick to make it 2-1.
WHAT A STRIKE! 🔥🔥🔥
Amazing moment for Comoros, and thoroughly deserved as wellpic.twitter.com/6hysOU9m4K
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 24, 2022
Although the minnows were unable to find an equaliser, they deserve praising for a gutsy performance which saw them push the host nation until the final second.
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