RKC player Saïd Bakari has been living his big dream in recent weeks. With the Comoros, where he comes from, he reached the eighth final of the Africa Cup. A sporty highlight, but the adventure does have a black edge.
Eight people were killed at the stadium entrance prior to the game against Cameroon. “A great adventure, but afterwards there were a lot of emotions,” says the defender in Brabant Today.
To everyone’s surprise, debutant the Comoros reached the eighth final, but it went wrong there against host country Cameroon in a bizarre match. “Two of our keepers had tested positive for corona and the third was injured. With us a player was standing between the posts. He did well. Moreover, after seven minutes we ended up with ten men. We gave everything and it as team did an excellent job. It was a great experience.” The match against Cameroon was lost 2-1.
The players on the field did not know at that time what drama had transpired before the match. “We only heard afterwards what had happened. There were many emotions and we sympathize with the affected families.”
Apart from the tragic incident, the people of the Comoros are very proud. “We have shown that we can beat anyone.”
On Sunday 6 February, an important game against neighbor Willem II is scheduled for RKC. “It is not Cameroon, but it is a very important game in which we have to give everything. Now first have a rest and get to work next week.”