Comoros put up a courageous performance against Cameroon, despite going a man down and playing an outfield player in goal
By Kehinde Okeowo
Cameroon narrowly beat debutant Comoros in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), despite a courageous performance from their depleted opponents.
The match was nearly overshadowed by reports that six people have been killed and dozens hurt in a crush outside the stadium.
Comoros started that game with an outfield player in goal, with first-choice goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina injured and back-ups Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada subsequently testing positive for Covid.
Chaker Alhadhur, normally a left-back was given the nod to be in goal and was looking understandably nervous as the anthems rang round the Olembe Stadium.
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The odds were further stacked against Comoros when Jimmy Abdou was sent off just 7 minutes into the encounter after catching Moumi Ngamaleu on the back of the ankle.
The foul looked innocuous in real-time and was missed by referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, but he decided to award the red card to Abdou after a VAR review.
Karl Toko Ekambi put Cameroon ahead in the 29th minute after he was put through by his captain Vincent Aboubakar to make it 1-0 to the Indomitable Lions.
Vincent Aboubakar turned from a goal provider to a scorer in the 70th minute and made it 2-0 to Cameroon after finishing an effort provided by Martin Hongla.
But Comoros deserve a lot of credit and a goal after giving the hosts a tough match, Youssouf M’Changama scored a stunning free-kick in the 81st minute to half the deficit and made it a nervous ending for the Indomitable Lions.
Chaker Alhadhur, produced a brilliant performance as a stand-in goalkeeper to keep the score at 2-1, but Cameroon progressed to face The Gambia in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
