Afcon 2021: Comoros to play without a goalkeeper against Cameroon

Africa Cup of Nations giant-killers Comoros will play Monday’s last-16 game against hosts Cameroon without a recognised goalkeeper.

Salim Ben Boina was injured in their final Group C match, while fellow keepers Ali Ahamada and Moyadh Ousseini have tested positive for Covid-19.

Nations Cup rules state sides must play if they have 11 fit players.

Comoros goalkeeping coach Jean-Daniel Padovani said an outfield player would go in goal.

“We have already chosen an outfield player who will start as a goalkeeper. He is a player who, during training, showed that he could play as a goalkeeper,” Padovani said.

The Coelacanths, ranked 132nd in the world, have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak affecting players and management ahead of their meeting with the Indomitable Lions on Monday (19:00 GMT).

Defenders Kassim Abdallah and Alexis Souahy, midfielders Nakibou Aboubakari and Yacine Bourhane and forward Mohamed M’Changama are all out of the game, while coach Amir Abdou also tested positive.

Comoros are playing at the tournament for the first time in their history and reached the knockout stages after beating Ghana 3-2 and finishing third in Group C.

The game between Comoros and Cameroon will be shown live on BBC Sport (UK only).

Courtesy BBC