A player on the losing team receiving the Man of the Match award rarely happens in soccer. Despite the rarity of the situation, it was the only possible outcome after Friday’s AFCON game between Morocco and Comoros. Salim Ben Boina, the 30-year-old Comoros goalkeeper, had one of the most spectacular performances AFCON has seen during his side’s 2-0 defeat.
Morocco should have won Friday’s group stage game by a minimum of 6-0, however Boina consistently produced miracle saves to keep his country — ranked No. 132 in the world and competing in its first ever AFCON — in the game.
Boina conceded early in the first half as Morocco’s Selim Amallah found the back of the net in the 16th minute.
MOROCCO STRIKE FIRST!
Watch #TeamMorocco vs. #TeamComoros LIVE NOW for FREE on beIN SPORTS XTRA!https://t.co/OQzCHWRrKf#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #MARCOM pic.twitter.com/74vevGtZMT
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Later in the first half Boina saw a header rattle his crossbar, which he was then able to slap off the line.
¡AL PALO!
Aguerd estuvo muy cerca de anotar el segundo de Marruecos, pero el horizontal lo evitóSigue el #TeamMorocco vs. #TeamComoros en vivo y en exclusiva por beIN SPORTS XTRA Ñ.
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The second half was when the 30-year-old who plays in the fifth tier of France came to life.
Comoros Goalkeeper Save Compilation
Flying Kick Save (Fast-Forward to 18 seconds)
¡PARADÓN!
El arquero Boina salvó a su equipo del segundoSigue el #TeamMorocco vs. #TeamComoros en vivo y en exclusiva por beIN SPORTS XTRA Ñ.
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Point-Blank Save/Hakimi Free Kick Denied/Triple Save/Penalty Save
Morocco put the nail in the coffin during the final minutes of the game as Zakaria Aboukhlal doubled the lead. Despite the loss, Boina was still given the Man of the Match award with no complaints.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ben Salim Boina pic.twitter.com/uNGL8NwCRG— Izem Anass (@Izemanass) January 14, 2022
That image of Comoros goalkeeper Ben Boina distraught at the final whistle really made me sad.
He gave his all despite the loss he made a ton of brave saves including the penalty
In a tournament that has already seen some great goalkeeping performances this tops all#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/x8kpfibKhe— Steve Ruigu Njuguna (@Joashnjuguna) January 14, 2022
Boina and Comoros will play their last group-stage game against Ghana on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Morocco has secured a place in the knockout stages.
