The Comoros are a volcanic archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar. The fact that the country is participating in the Africa Cup is already a miracle. Nobody could have dreamed that it would go on to the knockout phase at the expense of title favorite Ghana. Certainly not RKC defender Said Bakari, who sees his childhood dream only getting more beautiful.
“I still don’t realize it,” says Bakari on the eve of the eighth final. “We were already debutants at this tournament, but the fact that we are also in the knockout phase is completely new. It’s an added bonus.”
The Comoros won in the group against Ghana and were then in the waiting room. Until Sierra Leone missed a penalty. Images show that a big party erupted at the selection afterwards. Bakari also likes to think back to that moment.
“That was the best moment of my life. It was a big party. I thought I had already experienced everything around qualifying, but this surpassed everything.”
The performance of the national team also caused a stir on the island itself. “I got videos with people partying on the street. People have also taken to the streets in Marseille and Paris. They partied all night.”
While the defender is successful at the Africa Cup, RKC has started 2022 very successfully. Bakari tries to follow it as much as possible. “I think I’m the only African who watches RKC. I also have a lot of contact with my teammates. We send each other messages with congratulations. That is really fun.”
Now the Comoros awaits a match against Cameroon. A bonus but also a hell of a job. Especially now that the team is dealing with corona. Several infections have been detected, which means that a field player has to stand on goal on Monday evening.
“A total of six players have tested positive, including our two remaining goalkeepers. We hope that another miracle happens and the tests are not positive after all.”
But that chance seems nil and so a field player has to score. Bakari has already played in about six different positions at RKC. But he is sure that a role as goalkeeper against Cameroon is not on the schedule.
“I’m not going to keep. I’m too small to stand on target. We have yet to see who is the best option. That will only be decided at the last minute.”
So the adventure normally seems to end on Monday evening, but Bakari refuses to give up. “The craziest things happen at this Africa Cup. The defending champion is out and the Gambia, which is participating for the first time, has also won twice. Anything can happen in 90 minutes, so we can beat Cameroon too.”