In a normal football scenario, on-field players cannot take up the roles of goalkeepers. However, under some circumstances, players find themselves in between the posts.
Some of the reasons an on-field player might be converted to a goalkeeper include when a team has used all its substitutions and the goalkeepers on the team sheet cannot participate in the game due to either an injury or a red card.
In the recent past, several occasions have led to on-field players being called upon to take active roles as goalkeepers. TeamKenya takes a look at some of the players who switched up roles to put on the gloves.
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Chaker Alhadhur (2022)
In the recent AFCON 2021, Chaker who is a left back, featured as a goalkeeper for Comoros against Cameroon.
The left back was called into action after the Comoros’ goalkeeper, Salim Ben Boina, picked up an injury in the second group stage match against Cameroon. The teams' other two goalkeepers, Ali Ahamada and Moyadh Ousseni, tested positive for Covid-19.
The Comoros footballer was, however, unable to help his side secure a win after losing 2-1 to Cameroon.
Kyle Walker (2019)
Manchester City right back, Kyle Walker, played as a goalkeeper in a Champions League match against Atalanta.
Walker was forced to play as a keeper as the then City’s second goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, was sent off after picking a red card.
The English defender, who joined the game when the teams had netted one goal each, helped his team finish without conceding any other goal.
Rio Ferdinand (2008)
The then Manchester United Centre back, Rio Ferdinand, took the role of the goalkeeper during a match against Portsmouth.
Rio was given the keepers' gloves after Edwin Van der Sar was forced off the pitch after picking up an injury and his substitute Tomasz Kuszczak received a red card afterwards.
Ferdinand, who stepped up to try to save a penalty, was unable to help his side as they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth.
Harry Kane (2014)
One of the top strikers in the history of the English Premier League, Harry Kane, has also had the chance to play as a goalkeeper.
Back in 2014 in a Europa League match against Asteras Tripolis, Kane was called to stand in for Hugo Lloris.
The English striker had already scored a hattrick in the match before he took the gloves. Tottenham, who were 5-0 ahead by the time he was introduced, finished the match with a 5 - 1 victory after Kane conceded one goal from a freekick.
John Terry (2006)
Legendary Chelsea defender, John Terry, played as a keeper in a Premier League match against Reading.
Terry played in goal as both goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini sustained injuries.
The Chelsea defender was able to keep a clean sheet with his team ending the match with a 1-0 victory.
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