CAN 2022: although eliminated, the Comoros have earned respect
Comorians Younn Zahary (n°4) and Said Bakari (n°22), a few moments after their narrow defeat against Cameroon, January 24, 2022. © Pierre RENÉ-WORMS/RFI
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
4 mins
Defeated by Cameroon on Monday January 24 in the round of 16 of CAN 2022 (2-1), the Comorians honored their colors and their supporters.
Despite the absence of a professional goalkeeper and a match played almost entirely at ten against eleven, the Cœlacanthes sold their skin dearly.
Even the Indomitable Lions salute their courage.
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From our special correspondent at the Olembé stadium,
The adventure stops for the Comoros.
Novices of this CAN 2022 with Gambia, the Comorians had achieved the feat of qualifying for the round of 16.
But the march towards the quarter-finals, against Cameroon, was too high.
Especially with all these absences linked to Covid-19.
With a professional defender in the cage, with captain Nadjim Abdou excluded from the 7th minute for a dangerous gesture, the Coelacanths had too many elements against them to overthrow the Indomitable Lions.
Which didn't stop them from holding their hands high until the end.
Even the Cameroonians congratulated their opponents after the victory.
"
Congratulations to the Comoros
", slipped Karl Toko-Ekambi, the first scorer of the evening.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was also complimentary: “
Never underestimate a team.
Even though the Comoros are not a big footballing nation at the moment.
Respect to them.
They had a very good ten-man game.
»
Chaker Alhadur is arguably the one who garnered the most praise.
The left side defender of AC Ajaccio, who had not played a minute in this CAN, was lined up in the cage, with a number 3 cobbled together with plaster in the back.
Admittedly, he bowed twice.
But the neo-guard also released some parades which drew applause in the stands.
With a number 3 in the back tinkered with plaster, Chaker Alhadur, usual defender, played as goalkeeper with the Comoros against Cameroon, January 24, 2022. © Pierre RENÉ-WORMS / RFI
"
Chaker Alhadur has been huge
," said Comoros manager, El Hadad Himidi.
“
He was extraordinary.
What he did today... He gave himself to the nation.
It's something big.
We are proud of him, he had a great game.
It's beautiful, what he did
, ”added midfielder Fouad Bachirou.
“
The dice were loaded
”
The Coelacanths still have in their throats the treatment that has been reserved for them.
"
The dice were loaded from the start
," said El Hadad Himidi.
“
We would have liked the rules to be the same from the start
,” he added.
Same story with Fouad Bachirou: “
The basis of football is to be fair (just) for everyone.
Especially when new rules are instituted the day before but do not apply to everyone.
»
The AC Omonia player in Cyprus is thinking of Ali Ahamada, who was prevented from playing against Cameroon despite testing negative on Monday morning.
The CAF reminder to the rules (reminder which was a discovery for some) remains across the throat of Fouad Bachirou:
“
The rule came out yesterday (Sunday): a player who was positive and becomes negative must do a five-day quarantine.
Why ?
No idea.
Suddenly, at this moment of the competition, we ask ourselves questions.
Knowing that it starts from the round of 16... There was a match of the round of 16 yesterday;
the rule did not apply.
Why ?
»
Heroic!!!
Tonight the Coelacanths showed they were a great team!
All the Comorian people can be proud of their national team, despite the anecdotal 2-1 defeat against Cameroon!
✊🏾 homeland 💚 pic.twitter.com/AOnlbxU4F8
— FFC 🇰🇲 (@fedcomfootball) January 24, 2022
Heads up
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, empathetic, cannot help feeling "
a little pity
" for the Comorians. “
It hurts to lose players to Covid.
“The Bayern Munich striker, not successful, also applauded Chadek Alhadur: “
The goalkeeper had a great game. The whole team had a great game.
»
The disappointment of leaving the CAN is inevitably tenacious.
But in the Comorian ranks, a feeling of pride also reigns.
"
We recoiled from no effort to show our value and honor our flag and our people
," said El Hadad Himidi, more than satisfied with his "
amazing
" players.
“
I hope that the Comorian people will be proud and delighted with the performance
,” he added.
"
We can go out with our heads held high
," said Fouad Bachirou for his part.
“
I am proud of my group, proud of my brothers, proud to have represented my country
”, insists the player, who does not forget to associate the supporters with his congratulations.
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