Debutants in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Comoros, will be without a goalkeeper and coach Amir Abdou on Monday as they face hosts and five-time champions Cameroon in Yaounde.
Their giant-killers camp has been hit by 12 positive COVID-19 tests, affecting seven players, including the two remaining goalkeepers in the squad.
And this has come with their number one goalkeeper Ben Boina being out through injury.
Officials of the team have, however, assured that they were working round the clock to “do everything in our power to find a solution,” according to the team general manager, El Hadad Himidi.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had earlier ruled that teams affected by COVID-19 must play matches even if they have no recognised goalkeeper in their squad.
“A team will be required to play a match if they have a minimum of 11 players available who have tested negative.
“In the event of the absence of a goalkeeper, another player from the team must replace the goalkeeper, provided the total number of available players is at least 11.
“In exceptional cases, the Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will take the appropriate decision,” CAF had stated.
Comoros will now be hoping that the injury suffered by Boina could be considered an exceptional case.
This is because the goalkeeper sustained the injury and had to leave the field following a challenge which led to Ghana’s Andre Ayew being sent off.
Comoros had shocked Ghana 3-2 to eliminate the Black Stars and qualify for the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides.
(NAN)
