Hosts Cameroon met Comoros in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup – who curiously started with a field player in goal. The favourites came close, but deservedly so, against a bravely fighting underdog.
For Comoros, the federation had announced on Saturday that a total of 12 people in the team and support staff had tested positive for the corona virus, including not only coach Amir Abdou but also goalkeepers Moyadh Ousseini and Ali Ahamada. Regular goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina had injured his shoulder in the win over Ghana and was out. Ahamada tested negative on Monday morning but was still not allowed to play. So there was no keeper left in the squad. They had to improvise – and so the 1.72 metre tall left-back Chaker Alhadhur guarded the box in the round of 16 against hosts Cameroon.
Comoros outnumbered – Toko-Ekambi scores
The roles were even more clearly distributed than they already were, Cameroon were the heavy favourites. And as if there weren’t enough obstacles in the way of the underdogs, things got even worse after seven minutes: after a foul by Abdou on Cameroonian Ngamaleuo, the VAR called in, whereupon referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa took a second look at the scene and issued a straight red for the rude kick from behind on the foot.
With one man down, Comoros did not do badly at all. Substitute keeper Alhadhur did not have to intervene for a long time. Cameroon’s attack was lacklustre, but they still took the lead: after the underdogs had lost the ball, things moved quickly and Toko-Ekambi finished low to his left (29th). The reply of the decimated Comoros almost followed on their heels, but Onana was twice brilliantly on the post (33.). All in all, it was a weak and, under the circumstances, very disappointing first half for the clearly favoured hosts, who only had one good chance and led 1-0 at the break.
Cameroon improve – Aboubakar makes it 2-0
Cameroon then showed a better face in the second half – and quickly created some chances: Aboubakar’s header was too central (49th), Toko-Ekambi missed (52nd), and a double chance by Aboubakar and Ngamalei was saved by substitute keeper Alhadhur (55th). The Comoros were also on the offensive from time to time, but they did not have a great chance to score. The favourites around Bayern striker Choupo-Moting were more forceful, but Aboubakar’s offside goal did not count (65th) and Bassogog only hit the far post (67th). A little later it was time, Aboubakar scored the deserved 2:0 from close range (70.).
M’Changama’s dream free-kick is not enough
It all looked like it would be decided, but Comoros showed a lot of heart and still played bravely forward. El Fardou Ben missed another great chance (79th, failed to beat Onana), but in the 81st minute it was only 1-2: M’Changama put a free-kick from a great distance into the top left corner. Extra time would have been a sensation in this constellation.
Because the Comoros did not create any compelling chances, Cameroon deserved to win 2-1, even though the hosts did not cover themselves with glory. On Saturday (5 p.m.) they will meet Gambia, who won 1-0 against Guinea, in the quarter-finals.
