Unrecognisable, forgotten Man United flop scores STUNNING 40-yard free-kick at AFCON to put his side on the verge of qualification for the knockouts… but is the goalkeeper to blame?
- The striker is shaped to cross the ball before firing the effort into the back of the net
- Goalkeeper Hernani Siluane was out of position and could have done better
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An unrecognizable Manchester United flop scored a sensational long-range free-kick to give Cape Verde the lead against Mozambique in the African Cup of Nations on Friday.
The goal put his side on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages of the tournament, with the country recording a surprise victory over Ghana in their opening match of the competition.
Bebe, who is now 33 and plays his club football in Spain with Rayo Vallecano, looked set to cross the ball from about 40 yards out, with goalkeeper Hernani Siluane seemingly preparing for a throw into the penalty area.
It soon became clear that he was actually shooting, with Siluane out of position and on his line, without expecting an effort on goal.
He appeared to sell the ball late on, with the goal finding the net despite the goalkeeper’s best efforts, although it looked a fairly easy save to make.
A Manchester United flop has scored a sensational long-range performance at the African Cup of Nations
He tried to cross the ball from distance but shot instead, leaving the goalkeeper out of position
Hernani Siluane couldn’t keep out the attempt, even though it seemed to be coming straight at him
Siluane’s teammates looked on in bewilderment as the Black Bulls goalkeeper had to pick the ball out of the net after the goal.
Bebe, who made seven appearances for United in four years at the club between 2010 and 2014, drove away in celebration, chased by his teammates as Cape Verdean fans celebrated in the crowd.
“Loll, Bebe scored a hilarious goal from like 30 yards or something,” said a fan on X after the attack. ‘The goalkeeper there was entertaining.’
“I think the goalkeeper is looking at the sun,” said another.
A third added: ‘Mozambique goalkeeper saw a ghost from that shot.’
Bebe joined United in a special transfer from Vitoria, signing for £7.4 million as a 20-year-old.
He scored just one goal for the club during his four-year stay, having been loaned out to Besiktas, Rio Ave and Pacos Ferreira before making a permanent £2.4 million transfer to Benfica in 2014.
He again spent time on loan, playing for the likes of Cordoba and Rayo Vallecano before joining the Spanish side permanently in 2018.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Zaragoza, but is now back in Spain. He was born in Portugal and is eligible to play for Cape Verde through his parents.
