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Comoros players are losing their heads a bit after feeling that was a harsh sending off. It is going to be a very tough task from here but they need to keep their cool.

Efan Ekoku
Former Premier League striker on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer

I think it's accidental. It is a little bit clumsy, but he is a long way from the football. There is no reason for the left leg to be reaching out like that.

Wow!

Looking at the replays it is a horrible tackle as Nadjim Abdou's studs go down the back of Moumi Ngamaleu's leg.

The referee runs back onto the pitch after checking the monitor and produces the red card.

Comoros have an outfield player in goal and are now down to 10 men!

Image source, Getty Images

An early use of the pitchside monitor as the referee goes over to take a closer look at a potential foul. Looks like it is for on Moumi Ngamaleu.

A couple of minutes in and Comoros are doing a good job of keeping the ball away from their own goal, in fact they have a free kick around 30 yards out.

Youssouf M'Changama takes it and goes for goal and Andre Onana fumbles his save but he gets away with it as his defence clears just in time.

Almost an early upset!

Nick Cavell
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Africa Sport

It is loud in the Olembe stadium and I reckon this is the biggest crowd of the tournament so far – we are at almost 90% of the 60,000 capacity which is the maximum allowed in here due to Covid-19 regulations – fans must be vaccinated and tested negative on their way in or in the last 24 hours. Very very hard to hear the person next to you!

Chaker Alhadhur has a look at his gloves as he wanders into goal. He looks super calm, impressive. I suppose it is a no lose situation for him but if he keeps a clean sheet, what a hero.

We're under way.

Carl Harris: Fans of a certain age will remember outfield players going in goal reasonably regularly in the old first division, before sub keepers was a thing…. Very unusual from kick off though!! Come on I suspect the majority is behind you!

Efan Ekoku
Former Premier League striker on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer

It is a tall order, that is putting it mildly. For Comoros to upset Cameroon would be the greatest upset in this competition.

There is no sympathy from the Cameroon players, they will see this as a great opportunity.

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Got to respect that - ply your trade outfield but starting in goal against Cameroon and not warming up.

I think if Chaker Alhadhur keeps a clean sheet I'll get a Comoros shirt with his name on it.

The players out on the pitch and it is national anthem time.

John Bennett
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service Sport

Chaker Alhadhur - the world is watching! Go and have a stormer. The left back is in goal for tonight. (Interestingly - he didn’t warm up).

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Earlier today debutants The Gambia booked their place in the quarter-finals as Musa Barrow's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Guinea.

Bologna forward Barrow collected a pass and slotted past Syli Nationale keeper Aly Keita in the 71st minute.

Ibrahima Sory Conte had an equaliser ruled out for offside before The Gambia's Yusupha Njie was sent off.

Guinea struck the post in injury time before another shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Baboucarr Gaye.

It is obviously super rare for an outfield player to start in goal, but it has happened.

Midfielder Declan Carville started in goal for Irish Premiership side Ballymena United against Glentoran in December 2019 - and came within four minutes of keeping a clean sheet before making a late howler.

He's just been on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 5 live reliving the incident, which you can watch above: "The manager rang me the night before and asked if I wanted to play in nets. I said no problem.

"I kept a clean sheet for 86 minutes but then a freak accident happened - I went to kick the ball out, slipped and kicked the ball into one of my own players and one of their players got the ball and put it into the back of the net!"

Nick Cavell
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Africa Sport

So it's ... Chaker Alhadhur who will play in goal for Comoros against Cameroon at #AFCON2021. He's a left back or left-sided midfielder normally. Debuted back in 2014. Aged 30.

Best of luck to him against tournament top scorer Vincet Aboubakar and the ever dangerous Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Interestingly during the pre-match warm-up on the pitch Comoros chose not to do any exercises involving a keeper.

Left-back Chaker Alhadhur is the man tasked with the 'honour' of playing in goal for Comoros tonight.

He's 5ft 9ins so I'm presuming he has some cat-like reflexes.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Hello!

Yes, Comoros' tough task has got harder with the news that their only available goalkeeper, Ali Ahamada, is out of the tie despite testing negative for Covid-19 on the morning of the game.

Ahamada was one of several players and management affected by a coronavirus outbreak at the weekend, but he has not been allowed to play as Caf rules state players must isolate for five days.

It certainly adds a huge element of intrigue to this game, which you can watch live via this page, on iPlayer and Red Button from 19:00 GMT.

It's the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations. Tournament hosts Cameroon - unbeaten so far - take on the tournament debutants Comoros with a place in the quarter finals up for grabs.

What could make an intriguing clash even better? An outfield player starting in goal of course!