Haschou Kerrido has been outstanding for the intermediate lions, in their last two games against Zimbabwe and Mali
By Afeseh Apong (Cameroon)
Cameroon’s intermediate lions will face the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Sunday, in a decisive last group A game at the 2020 CHAN.
The lions have won one and drawn one, in their last two games, and will be needing just a draw against Burkina Faso, to book a place for the quarter finals.
In a competition where most of the players retained by Coach Martin Ndtoungou Mpile, have failed to live up to expectations, it is no longer news to say that Banga Bindjeme and Haschou Kerrido, have kept the lions CHAN dreams alive. Yes Banga Bindjeme with his two goals and Haschou Kerrido, with his saves.
The PWD shot stopper Haschou Kerrido, was only called up by Martin Ndtoungou Mpile, during his last two pre_CHAN training camps, and it didn’t take much time for Haschou, to topple Dande Junior who before then was considered as the number one.
Haschou Kerrido went full stretch to thwart away Leeroy Mavunga’s corner kick against Zimbabwe
Two goals conceded against Niger in the Pre_CHAN tournament in Yaoundé, was nothing to worry about for Haschou. Ndtoungou Mpile preferred the former Dragon goalie at goal in the CHAN opener against Zimbabwe at the Yaoundé Omnisport Stadium on Saturday January 16, and his performance on the pitch justified the coach’s choice. In fact, it was Haschou’s full stretch to thwart away Leeroy Mavunga’s corner kick, that kept the lions in the game, until that 71st minute delivery from Banga Bindjeme. That flying save against Zimbabwe was Marc André Ter Stegen Esque.
Though the Zimbabwean equation looked easier for the lions, the game against Mali last Wednesday was a real litmus test.
Yes Haschou was wrong_footed when Issaka Samake smashed home Mali’s equalizer from a free kick, but then he showed great character and quality, as the game weighed on.
Three crucial saves and a strong left foot to cancel out two one_on_ones, stopped Moussa Kone and Co, and eventually won the lions a precious point.
As the saying goes, “only real talents recognize another”, the Malian Goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra was stunned by Kerrido’s qualities.
“Sincerely, that guy is extraordinary. He is short like me, but oh my God he is good. Yesterday, we gave our all, him (Haschou) and me”
Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra of Mali said.
After the game against Mali, Cameroon’s sports minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi and former Indomitable lions forward, Roger Milla, singled out Haschou for praise, when they visited Ndtoungou Mpile and his boys in the dressing room.
“I want to say bravo to you all, especially to the Goalkeeper”
Roger Milla told the players while calling Haschou Kerrido to step forward.
“He stayed calm and focused throughout”
the minister of sports added.
Many fans have described the 26_year_old goalie as “a short Goalkeeper with tall saves”. They may be correct anyway.
Haschou has been consistent for the lions
Kerrido will turn 27 on 02 June 2021, but has already proven beyond reasonable doubts that he is one of the safest pair of hands in the land. The former Unisport, Astres, and Club Industriel Kamsar man, now in the books of PWD Social football Club of Bamenda, has had a called up into the senior National team before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic earlier in 2020, and if his performance is something to count on, then he is destined for greatness
This article was initially published by Mysoccer24.com and has been re-published by Sbk Sports Mail with permission as an official media partner.
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