AFCON 2021: Underdogs Comoros Score Goal-Of-The-Tournament Contender Despite Exit

• Comoros gave Cameroon a run for their money in the last 16, despite having a depleted squad
• The 'Coelacanths' also scored a contender for goal of the tournament through Youssouf M'Changama
• M'Changama scored a free-kick from 35 yards out to set up a tense final 10 minutes in the entertaining last 16 tie

Minions Comoros might have been knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations, but the debutants will certainly leave the competition with their heads held high.

Not only did they marginally lose to tournament favourites Cameroon in the last 16, but the small nation was also impressive in the group stages, and managed to scrape to the knockout stages at the expense of giants Ghana, whom they beat 3-2.

But one of the most notable things the country will be remembered for will be their last goal in the tournament, which will likely win the best goal of the Africa spectacle.

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Star Youssouf M'Changama scored a stunning free-kick, worthy of winning goal of the tournament in any stage.

Losing the last 16 tie 2-0, Comoros got a free kick 35 yards from goal with a mere 10 minutes to go.

To everyone’s surprise, M'Changama powered in the free-kick to the top corner, sending many fans watching in disbelief.

The goal set up a tense final 10 minutes, particularly for Cameroon, who managed to hold out the tournament debutants to proceed to the quarter-finals thanks to the 2-1 win.

But no one will forget M'Changama’s goal easily, as it impressed a number of people , including former Arsenal and Barcelona playmaker Cesc Fabregas.

Taking to Twitter around the time the goal was scored, Fabregas wrote:

“Mamma Mia what a goal!!”

Comoros’s commendable run in the AFCON

The 'Coelacanths' entered the Africa Cup of Nations as extreme underdogs, despite an impressive run in the qualifiers.

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They did not fair too well in their first two group games as they lost to Morocco and Gabon but went into the last game against Ghana knowing that a win would be enough to help them scrape past the group stage.

And against the odds, they produced one of the upsets of the tournament to knock Ghana out thanks to a 3-2 win.

Hakimi free kick also among goal of the tournament contenders

Interestingly, another contender for goal of the tournament came from Comoros’s group.

Achraf Hakimi scored a stunning free kick to help Morocco claw a 2-2 draw against Gabon in their final group stage.

Hakimi scored from a direct free-kick as he saw his powerful effort curl past the Gabon goalkeeper from quite some distance out.