The 5 Most Unorthodox Goalkeepers of All Time

With a Man of the Match-winning performance against Algeria, Sierra Leone’s goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara, demonstrated his unorthodox technique to great effect. But how does he stack up to some of the all-time bizarre goalkeeping greats?

Mohammed Kamara

One of the greatest aspects of international tournaments is the way that they can announce the presence of a previously unknown talent on the world stage. After all, who could forget Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa's heroics at the 2010 World Cup that led to speculative transfer links to clubs across the world.

This is particularly true when a player strays from the well-established norms of footballing technique, as Mohammed Kamara did with his heroic goalkeeping performance for his native Sierra Leone in the African Cup of Nations last week.

Against pre-tournament favourites Algeria, Kamara made a number of fine saves en route to a clean sheet and became an instant hit on social media for his passionate reaction after the game's conclusion.

Aged just 22 and currently playing for East End Lions in his native country's top-flight, Kamara is in the shop window right now for some of the world's top clubs so do not be surprised if the young keeper builds on his success with an international move going forward.

Mohamed KAMARA vs ALGERIA | SAVES & REFLEXES

Lutz Pfannenstiel

Though he may not have earned as much international acclaim as some of his contemporaries featured here, German keeper Lutz Pfannenstiel more than earned his spot on this list through repeated examples of sheer unadulterated weirdness throughout his nomadic career.

After a promising start to his career in his native country, Lutz turned down the opportunity to join Bayern Munich, instead opting to sign with Wimbledon in 1994, though he ultimately left the Crazy Gang without making a senior appearance.

The former German youth international would continue his globe-trotting adventure after leaving Britain but would find himself in hot water after joining Singaporean club Geylang United. Accused of match-fixing, Lutz would ultimately spend 101 days in prison before being released, and moving to Dunedin Technical in New Zealand.

Pfannenstiel continued his hilarious antics in the Land of the Middle Earth, once again finding himself in trouble with the law, this time for stealing a penguin and keeping it in his bath for 24 hours, narrowly avoiding another stint behind bars.

Never one to allow a mere prison sentence to stand in the way of his adventures, Pfannenstiel would continue his playing career for more than a decade after leaving New Zealand and would ultimately be recognised as the first player to ply his trade in all six FIFA confederations.

The Story of Lutz Pfannenstiel | Unknown Stories Ep. 1

Artur Boruc

A legend at Celtic Park due to his 5-year stint in green and white between 2005 and 2010, Polish goalkeeper has enjoyed a successful career in various countries since making his professional debut back in 1998, and much like many of his goalkeeping brethren, is prone to spots of serious eccentricity when the feeling takes him.

A devout catholic, Boruc was quick to make his disdain for the blue side of Glasgow clear whilst at Celtic. During a game in 2006, Boruc was cautioned by local police for a breach of the peace when he made various obscene gestures at opposing fans.

In a hilarious quirk of personality, Boruc also appears to have a tattoo of a monkey's backside tattooed on his belly button, and has even released videos of himself dancing online.

Never change Artur…

Artur Boruc Dance - HIT

Jorge Campos

Perhaps the only footballer more well-known for his choice of attire rather than his skills and accomplishments on the pitch, Mexican goalkeeping legend Jorge Campos nevertheless has earned his place on this list.

Standing just 5 feet 6 inches, Campos would likely never have even been given the opportunity to stand between the sticks had he had developed in a different footballing nation, but would ultimately be recognised as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the country's history.

It wouldn't come easy for Campos, however. During his time at Mexican club UNAM, Campos, disillusioned by his lack of playing time in his preferred position, was deployed as a striker and proved himself as a more than capable marksman scoring 22 goals in all competitions in the 1989-90 season.

With his height leaving him susceptible to chips, Campos would instead utilise his lightning pace to fend off advancing attackers making him something of a precursor to the modern sweeper-keeper.

Though he was undoubtedly skilled as a player, Campos earned his place in footballing folklore due to his vibrant, self-designed multi-coloured kits worn during the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

Jorge Campos, El Brody [Best Saves & Goals]

Rene Higuita

The undisputed king of unorthodox goalkeepers, Rene Higuita possesses the unique quality of being entirely unorthodox both in his goalkeeping technique on the pitch, and in his antics outside of football.

Christened by fans as El Loco, Higuita first earned international notoriety playing for his native Colombia during the 1990 World Cup, ultimately playing a key role in the team's unlikely run to the last 16 of the competition. However, Higuita's erraticism would ultimately prove to be to the team's detriment as he was dispossessed while trying to feint Cameroon legend, Roger Miller in a game that Colombia would ultimately lose.

That error didn't dissuade Higuita from his unorthodox ways though, and he would enshrine his place in footballing history whilst on international duty in 1995 when in a friendly against England at Wembley, Higuita elected not to catch Jamie Redknapp's cross but instead cleared with his feet in mid-air in a move that has since by named the Scorpion Kick.

Higuita was arrested during his playing prime for taking part in the release of a victim of kidnapping organised by his infamous fellow countryman Pablo Escobar, later visiting the crime baron in prison.

In true El Loco fashion, Higuita's playing career would come to a temporary end in 2004 when it emerged that he had failed a drug test whilst playing for Ecuadorian club Aucas.

Rene Higuita ● El Loco ● Best Moments Ever