Stand-In Comoros Goalkeeper Chaker Alhadhur Turned Into David De Gea With Insane Double Save Vs Cameroon
Chaker Alhadhur produced an incredible goalkeeping display in defeat for Comoros after the left-back filled in between the sticks vs Cameroon.
With a COVID and injury crisis, as well as a harsh ruling from the CAF, Comoros did not have a recognised goalkeeper against the hosts in their round of 16 clash.
They lost 2-1 in what was a spirited performance with 10 men and Alhadhur, who is just 5ft 7 and plays for Ajaccio in France, was genuinely brilliant.
He was almost playing as a sweeper 'keeper at times with how his starting position was and he made a number of fine saves.
And two came in quick succession when he pulled off an outrageous double save that David De Gea would have been proud of in the second half.
Chaker Alhadhur with the double save!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2022
The makeshift goalkeeper, who usually plays left-back for #teamcomoros, is the hero between the sticks!
📱📺 Watch LIVE on @BBCiPlayer.#bbcafcon #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/4AdXQAfIUl
First he made an unorthodox save to thwart tournament top scorer Vincent Aboubakar and then reacted to make another strong stop on the rebound with his hands.
Alhadhur, who made his debut for the 132nd ranked side in 2014, had his No.3 taped over the number worn by goalkeeper Moyadh Ousseini, who tested positive for COVID.
The 30-year-old also pulled off another fantastic reflex save with his foot to keep out a header from Aboubakar.
The former Porto striker did end up scoring past Alhadhur to bring his AFCON goals tally to six for the tournament, but the stand-in shotstopper made a lot of new fans this evening.
Left-back Chaker Alhadhur's game by numbers in goal vs. #TeamCameroon
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2022
52 touches
42 passes
4 saves made
1 clearance
The latest AFCON icon. 🙌#TeamComoros #AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/nieRa1e3xw
And so too did Comoros on the whole in their first ever AFCON. Andre Onana in the opposite goal had to produce heroics and he was beaten by a thunderous 30-yard free-kick from former Oldham Athletic midfielder Youssouf M'Changama.
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
Comoros had a total of 12 players test positive, while first-choice goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina injured his shoulder vs Morocco.
Ali Ahamada, the goalkeeper who played in the 3-2 win over Ghana, had recorded a negative result but CAF (Confederation of African Football) changed the rulings on COVID-19 protocols.
Topics:Â Africa Cup Of Nations, Cameroon
Josh Lawless