Outfielder playing in net at AFCON sends fans wild by heading ball instead of catching it
Comoros' stand-in goalkeeper made a massive impression in the 2-1 AFCON defeat to Cameroon with several extraordinary moments, including a hilarious decision to head the ball rather than catching it
Comoros’ stand-in goalkeeper at the Africa Cup of Nations sent fans wild after rushing out and heading the ball instead of catching it.
The tiny island nation were forced to play a 5ft 7in left-back in goal for their last-16 clash with Cameroon after first-choice goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina was struck by injury.
With a Covid crisis also ruling out their two back-up keepers, up stepped left-back Chake Alhadur to deliver one of the tournament highlights as a make-shift shot-stopper in one of his nation’s most important matches ever.
And despite his side eventually losing 2-1, the 30-year-old endeared himself to fans all over the globe with some iconic goalkeeping.
One notable moment came when a pin-point Cameroon long ball threatened to cause havoc.
Alhadur, wearing Ousseini's goalkeeper top with his own No.3 taped over, sprinted out and bravely met it on the edge of the penalty box with his head.
It won’t have mattered to Alhadur that he could have used his fists to punch it, having cleared the danger in no-nonsense fashion and successfully avoided any risk of Cameroon scoring.
Bewildered fans rushed to commend his “defensive instincts” and heroism on Twitter.
One wrote: “Full credit to the Comoros goalkeeper for clearing a cross in his box with a header rather than catching it.”
Another tweeted: “The defensive instincts in this Comoros goalkeeper taking over him. Feels more like a centre-back than GK.
“See where he is and how he's eager to join play.”
Do you think Comoros v Cameroon was the game of the tournament? Let us know in the comments section.
Alhadur and his teammates fought back valiantly from a seventh minute red-card and being 2-0 down, threatening a comeback courtesy of a stunning free-kick goal by Youssouf M’Changama.
However, despite several stunning saves by their unlikely hero, the 12 Covid absentees meant they were eventually bested by the tournament hosts.