You’ve probably seen the clip. It was 2022, and a left-back named Chaker Alhadhur was standing in goal wearing a jersey with his number taped onto the back. It looked like Sunday league stuff. But that was the Comoros national football team in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), taking on the mighty Cameroon. They had no goalkeepers left thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak and some truly bizarre protocol changes. They lost 2-1, but honestly? They won the world's respect.
If you think Comoros is just a one-hit-wonder, you haven't been paying attention. This isn't just a tiny island nation lucky enough to have a good run. It’s a project. A slow-burn, diaspora-fueled rise that is currently shaking up African football.
The Comoros national football team and the 2021 Miracle
Before 2021, most casual fans couldn't find the Comoros on a map, let alone name a player. They only joined FIFA in 2005. For years, they were the team everyone wanted to draw because it meant a guaranteed three points.
Everything changed during the 2021 AFCON qualification. They drew with Egypt and beat Togo. When they finally got to the tournament in Cameroon, they didn't just show up to take photos. They lost their first two games, sure. But then came the Ghana match.
Ghana 2-3 Comoros.
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That scoreline still feels fake. El Fardou Ben Nabouhane scored the opener, and Ahmed Mogni grabbed a brace to send the Black Stars packing. It was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition. It proved that the "Coelacanths"—named after a rare, "living fossil" fish found in their waters—had plenty of life in them.
Who is actually in this squad?
Most of the guys representing the Comoros national football team weren't actually born on the islands. They are part of the massive Comorian diaspora in France, specifically around Marseille. It's a strategy that has worked for nations like Algeria and Senegal, but Comoros does it on a shoestring budget.
- Youssouf M’Changama: The captain and the heartbeat. He’s 35 now and plays for Al-Batin, but his vision is still elite. He has over 70 caps.
- El Fardou Ben Nabouhane: The all-time top scorer with 20 goals. He's a legend in Serbia from his Red Star Belgrade days. Even at 36, he’s still being called up for the big games.
- Myziane Maolida: The new star. At 26, the Al-Kholood forward is the bridge to the next generation. He’s got pace, he’s got trickery, and he’s scoring goals when it matters.
- Yannick Pandor: The goalkeeper for the future. He’s currently at Royal Francs Borains and is slowly taking over the #1 spot.
The 2026 World Cup Dream (and Reality)
Right now, the team is in the middle of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. It's been a rollercoaster. They actually started Group I with a massive 1-0 win over Ghana—again! They seem to have Ghana’s number, which is kind of hilarious given the size difference between the two nations.
However, the road to 2026 is brutal. They’ve had some tough results recently, including a 2-1 loss to their neighbors Madagascar in October 2025 and a 1-0 defeat to Ghana in the return leg in Accra. As it stands, they are sitting middle-of-the-pack in the group. While the dream of the US, Canada, and Mexico is fading for this cycle, the fact that they are even in the conversation for a top-two finish in a group with Mali and Ghana is wild.
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What Stefano Cusin has changed
The current coach, Stefano Cusin, took over from Younes Zerdouk in 2023. He’s been focused on making the team harder to beat. He basically uses a "compact defense and lightning transitions" philosophy.
It isn't always pretty. They’ll sit deep, absorb pressure for 70 minutes, and then hit you with a long ball to Maolida or Selemani. But for a nation with a population under a million, it’s the only way to survive against the giants.
Recent Results (The 2025/2026 Campaign)
| Opponent | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | 1-0 Win | COSAFA Cup |
| Madagascar | 1-2 Loss | World Cup Qualifier |
| Ghana | 0-1 Loss | World Cup Qualifier |
| Namibia | 4-0 Win | Friendly |
The 4-0 win over Namibia in late 2025 was a big confidence booster. It showed they can actually dominate games when they aren't playing the role of the underdog.
Why people get Comoros wrong
People think Comoros is just a "Marseille B Team." That’s a bit disrespectful. While the players are often born in France, the connection to the islands is intense. You see it when they sing the anthem. You saw it during the COVID crisis in Cameroon when they refused to forfeit and played with an injured outfield player in goal.
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They also have a genuine home-field advantage now. The Stade Omnisports de Malouzini in Moroni is a fortress. The atmosphere is loud, humid, and incredibly intimidating for visiting teams who are used to posh European stadiums.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Comoros national football team, here is what you need to watch for in the coming months:
- The AFCON 2025/2026 Cycle: Comoros has qualified for their second-ever AFCON. Keep an eye on their Group A matches against Morocco and Zambia. They are no longer a surprise, so teams will play them with more caution.
- Scouting the Youth: Look for names like Rayan Lutin (Amiens) and Iyad Mohamed (Casa Pia). The federation is aggressively recruiting younger diaspora players to replace the aging 2021 generation.
- The FIFA Ranking: They recently hit an all-time high of 103. Breaking into the Top 100 is the next psychological barrier for this program.
- Tactical Shift: Watch if Cusin starts to move away from the 4-5-1 "low block" in games against lower-ranked African sides. The team needs to learn how to break down parked buses if they want to win the COSAFA Cup or similar regional trophies.
The Coelacanths are proof that in modern football, organization and a clear recruitment identity can bridge the gap between a tiny island and a continental giant. They aren't just here to participate anymore; they are here to disrupt.
To stay updated, check the official CAF (Confédération Africaine de Football) portals for the latest 2025 AFCON standings and match reports.