Comoros will face Cameroon in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with an outfield player in goal after a Covid 19 outbreak in the squad.
There have been 12 positive cases for the tournament debutants in the build-up to the biggest match in their history, including coach Amir Abdou.
Particularly concerning is that two of those are to goalkeepers Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada. Salim Ben Boina, the first-choice goalkeeper, is already out with injury, and it’s been confirmed that they will have to trust an outfield player.
“We’ve already chosen an outfield player who will start as keeper,” Comoros assistant manager Daniel Padovanni said.
“It’s a player who in training has shown that he can play as a keeper.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced before the tournament that no matches would be called off for Covid outbreaks, even if teams were left without a goalkeeper.
“A team will be required to play a match if they have a minimum of 11 players available who have tested negative,” CAF stated.
“In the event of the absence of a goalkeeper, another player from the team must replace the goalkeeper, provided the total number of available players is at least 11.
“In exceptional cases, the Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will take the appropriate decision.”
It is clearly been decided that the situation does not meed the criteria of exceptional circumstances. Comoros produced an incredible shock to beat Ghana 3-2 and book their place in the last 16, but face their dream run being curtailed by positive tests.
