
Comoros hero Chaker Alhadhur appeared to forget he was a goalkeeper during Monday night's entertaining Round of 16 clash against Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations.
The 30-year-old, who originally plays as a full-back for Ligue 2 side AC Ajaccio, volunteered to go in net after first-choice goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina picked up a shoulder injury against Morocco.
Fellow goalkeepers Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada recorded positive COVID results, meaning Alhadhur, who stands at 5ft 7inches tall, was given the gloves for the biggest game in Comoros history - and he definitely didn't let his team down.
Alhadhur pulled off some fine saves throughout, including two quick-fire stops that David De Gea would have been proud of.
In the 53rd minute, Comoros' number one produced an unorthodox save to stop tournament top scorer Vincent Aboubakar from scoring before parrying the rebound with his hands.
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Then, later on in the second-half, Alhadhur showed his inexperience between the sticks when he appeared to forget that he could use his hands to save Aboubakar's effort.
Vincent Aboubakar has made it 2️⃣ for Cameroon! pic.twitter.com/xPoW5ZIGFm
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 24, 2022
As you can see from the footage above, Aboubakar put the game to bed when he netted Cameroon's second of game but it was Alhadhur bizarre actions moments before the finish that got people talking.
You've got to feel for the lad.
Chaker Alhadhur of Comoros is a hero to all of us outfield players who have been forced to go in goal.
— Tony Harper (@toneharper) January 25, 2022
This is him momentarily forgetting he was no longer at fullback, and hiding his hands behind his back against Cameroon. pic.twitter.com/qEwBbVNJ0x
Chaker Alhadhur, who is orignally Comoros' left-back, forgot he is the GK and put his hands back.😭 pic.twitter.com/Vr0gbbWkjh
— BRGoals (@BRGoals) January 24, 2022
#TeamComoros Left Back goalkeeper Chaker Alhadhur had his defensive techniques not forgotten on this occasion where Aboubakar got Cameroon's second goal.
— Boabeng Barhyster Brhyghyt Jnr (@khay_ikon) January 24, 2022
His hands are firmly behind him to make naturally smaller
😅😅😅 pic.twitter.com/lg47zQqjd2
Comoros managed to pull one back thanks to a wonderful free-kick from Youssouf M'Changama but Antonio Conceicao's side went on to seal a place in the quarter-final thanks to goals from Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar.
WHAT. A. HIT. 😲
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2022
Youssouf M'Changama with one of the finest free-kicks you'll see all season. This is special!
📱📺 Watch LIVE on @BBCiPlayer.#bbcafcon #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/yZh300jsCX
That being said, Chaker Alhadhur was the real winner on Monday night as he pulled off some great saves against top quality opposition.
Topics: Africa Cup Of Nations, Cameroon