THE Africa Nations Cup competition has a profound reputation of producing some of the finest custodians down the years.
Thomas Nkono, Carlos Kameni (both Cameroon) and Tony Sylva (Senegal) are among those on that lengthy list that have scripted commendable performances in Africa’s most prestigious competition before.
But with just seven matches played, the 27th edition in Angola has to the contrary brought out the worst from a majority of goalkeepers so far.
Carlos Fernandes (Angola), Faouzi Chaouchi (Algeria), Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) and Djidonou Yoann (Benin) have served their respective countries well before, but their confidence and agility in goal seemed shot to pieces in their first fixtures.
Their decision-making, particularly in leaving their lines has been suspect and the reason as to probably why Angola, Algeria, Nigeria and Benin could not register winning starts against Mali, Malawi, Egypt and Mozambique respectively.
Angola, Algeria, Nigeria and Benin are good enough not to recover, but none will afford any more howlers from their goalkeepers if they are to make the knockout stages. Below are some of those goalkeeping gaffes.
Mali 4 Angola 4 Just when it appeared Mali had lost their first opening match against Angola, with the help of Fernandes, the Eagles bounced back to spoil the hosts’ party.
Fernandes spilled the ball in the first of string of errors to revive a Mali come-back that left Angolan fans deflated.
Malawi 3 Algeria 0 In this particular game, Malawi were helped on their way by two dreadful mistakes from Chaouchi, who is only in the side because Algeria’s first choice goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui, is suffering appendicitis.
Nigeria 1 Egypt 3 Nigeria seemed to have the upper hand after taking an early lead. But Egypt threatened and one of their several first half raids caught the onrushing Nigerian custodian Enyeama yards outside his area to hand the Egyptians an equaliser.
Mozambique 2 Benin 2
A comedy of errors from Benin goalkeeper Djidonou Yoann earned Mozambique a draw.
The first was when he cleared the ball for a throw in. The throw was quickly taken and Dominques Pelembe picked out Fumo, who shot into an empty net as Djidonou walked back to his area.
At the death, Mozambique keeper Rafael Kapango almost gifted Benin a winner when he spilled a simple ball through a gymnastic blunder.
