Five Saves, One Statement: Pandor’s Night of Defiance in Rabat

By Oni Ladonette Ondesa

Journalist, Kick442.com – Cameroun

The Coelacanths may have dropped their AFCON 2025 opener, but goalkeeper Yannick Pandor won the night.

Despite the defeat, the 24-year-old shot-stopper produced a Man of the Match worthy performance that kept the tournament favorites at bay for over an hour.

Pandor stood resolute between the sticks, racking up five crucial saves. His highlight reel began just ten minutes in when Iyad Mohamed conceded a penalty for a foul on Brahim Díaz.

Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi stepped up to the spot, but Pandor guessed correctly, diving to his right to deny the host nation a dream start with a clinical reflex save with his legs.

Having earned the number one shirt following a stellar qualifying campaign, where Comoros defied the odds to top Group A with 12 points, finishing ahead of Tunisia, the Francs Borains loanee proved he belongs on the big stage.

He maintained a clean sheet throughout a frantic first half, frustrating the Atlas Lions’ frontline with superior positioning and aerial command.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 55th minute when Brahim Díaz found the back of the net, followed by a spectacular bicycle kick from substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the 74th minute. Despite shipping two goals, Pandor’s heroics prevented a rout, keeping the scoreline respectable against the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.

Born in Marseille, Pandor is a product of the Olympique de Marseille youth system before honing his craft at SC Air Bel and RC Lens. After a productive loan spell with US Boulogne in the 2024/25 season, he secured a move to Belgian side Francs Borains on loan from Lens in July 2025.

This season, he has been a standout in the Challenger Pro League, registering 14 appearances, 5 clean sheets, and an incredible reputation as a penalty specialist.

With three points dropped, Pandor will be the linchpin for Comoros as they prepare for high-stakes clashes against Zambia and Mali.

If the Coelacanths are to replicate their historic knockout stage run from the 2021 edition, they will need their man in goal to remain in this world-class form.