There is a long history of outfield players going in goal in drastic situations following injuries and sending-offs, but in bizarre circumstances, Comoros were forced to field a defender in goal for their AFCON last-16 match from the start.
Following an injury to No.1 keeper Salim Ben Boina, and his understudies Ali Ahamada and Moyadh Ousseini testing positive for Covid-19, Comoros were left with little choice but to start an outfield player in goal.
Despite Ahamada returning a negative test result on Monday morning, Caf rules state that a player who tests positive for coronavirus must isolate for five days before taking another PCR test 48 hours before his side’s next match, and therefore Ahamada was not permitted to take to the field.
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In his absence, regular left-back Chaker Alhadhur stepped up and donned the ‘keeper gloves for his country’s first-ever AFCON knockout game.
Comoros fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat with Alhadhur putting in a fine performance against the hosts Cameroon, including a superb double save in the second half and left with his head held high.
Standing just 5ft 7ins tall, Alhadhur gave a superb account of himself and it begged the question of who would fill that role for West Ham if required?
Fortunately, the answer is a simple one, with Michail Antonio already putting his hand up for the job.
Antonio believes that he has what it takes to play in goal for West Ham if the need arose and said as much on the BBC Footballer’s Football Podcast where he claims to have already spoken to the Hammers goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero about one day getting the chance.
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“I’ve always dreamed to play a game in goal,” he said. “Not a whole game, but maybe at the end of the season, two of our goalkeepers get sent off, I’m definitely third-choice.
“I’ve thrown it out there, I’ve spoken to Xavi, if the opportunity arises, it’s going to me, nobody else is allowed to take that.”
Having played as a full-back, wing-back, winger and centre-forward for West Ham, Antonio has already proven his versatility. Maybe one day we will get to see him replicate Alhadhur’s heroics and at 5ft 11ins he at least has a slight height advantage on the Comorian.
https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/michail-antonio-comoros-west-ham-22871272
