Comoros ‘keeper to miss Cameroon knockout tie despite negative covid test

OUTFIELD PLAYER IN GOAL KLAXON

Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada will not be allowed to play in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie against Cameroon on Monday, despite testing negative for covid-19 on the morning of the match. With both other goalkeepers - Salim Ben Boina and Moyadh Ousseini - also unavailable, the Indian Ocean islanders are now set to play without a recognised keeper.

Comoros were hopeful that midfielder Yacine Bourhane and Ahamada would be available to face Cameroon, with team manager El Hadad Himini confirming the pair were "undergoing various tests" ahead of the Round of 16 match. 

However, a media officer from governing body Confederation of African Football (CaF) told BBC Sport Africa that Ahamada had not fulfilled its protocols.

https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1483529027403108357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1483529027403108357%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fandre-ayew-sent-off-after-challenge-leaves-comoros-goalkeeper-stretchered-off-injured-312176 CaF rules state a player who tests positive for covid must isolate for five days before taking another PCR test 48 hours before the next  game.

The Comoros football federation (FFC) confirmed that Ahamada was among several players and management staff affected by an outbreak on Saturday.

Prior to the start of the tournament, CaF implemented rules which state that teams must play if they have 11 fit players, even if no recognised goalkeeper is available.

As well as Ahamada, defensive pair Kassim Abdallah and Alexis Souahy are unavailable for the match, with midfielder Nakibou Aboubakari, forward Mohamed M'Changama and coach Amir Abdou also out. 

Comoros - who are playing at AFCON for the first time in their history - reached the knockout stages of the tournament with an incredible 3-2 victory over Ghana - which saw them finish third in Group C.

The minnows face-off against the Indomitable Lions on Monday night (24 January), hoping to create even more history, even if all the odds are stacked against them.

Related links:

• Comoros facing goalkeeping crisis as 12 players test positive for covid before AFCON clash
• AFCON debutants Comoros eliminate four-time winners Ghana in five-goal thriller
• André Ayew sent off for tackle that forced Comoros ‘keeper off injured