Comoros national football team

Summary

The Comoros national football team represents the Comoros in international football and is controlled by the Comoros Football Federation.[3] It was formed in 1979, joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2003, and became a FIFA member in 2005. Comoros qualified for their first major tournament in 2021, after their 0–0 draw with Togo assured them of a place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[4]

Comoros
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Coelacantes (The Coelacanths)
AssociationFédération de Football de Comores (FFC)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachStefano Cusin
CaptainNadjim Abdou
Most capsYoussouf M'Changama (60)
Top scorerBen Nabouhane (17)
Home stadiumStade Omnisports de Malouzini
FIFA codeCOM
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 117 Increase 4 (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest117 (April 2024)
Lowest207 (December 2006)
First international
 Mauritius 3–0 Comoros 
(Saint-Denis, Réunion; 26 August 1979)
Biggest win
 Comoros 7–1 Seychelles 
(Mitsamiouli, Comoros; 1 September 2021)
Biggest defeat
Réunion Réunion 6–1 Comoros 
(Saint-Denis, Réunion; 31 August 1979)
 Madagascar 5–0 Comoros 
(Victoria, Seychelles; 20 August 1993)
 Mauritius 5–0 Comoros 
(Curepipe, Mauritius; 4 September 2003)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 2021)
Best resultRound of 16 (2021)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances6 (first in 2008)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2019)

History edit

The national football team of the Comoros played their first matches in the 1979 Indian Ocean Island Games. Those were the only games they played until qualification for the 2009 Arab Nations Cup in 2006. Those two matches were their first two matches with full FIFA recognition, and included a 4–2 victory over Djibouti. In 2007, Comoros first entered qualification for the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations for the 2010 tournaments, but lost in the preliminary round 2–10 on aggregate to Madagascar.

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October 2015, Les Coelacantes advanced past the first round for the first time ever by beating Lesotho on away goals after two draws. Since then results have improved steadily, including home wins against Botswana, Mauritius and Malawi in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

On 14 November 2019, Comoros opened their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign with a 0–1 win away to Togo, their first away win in a major qualifier. They would go on to qualify for the final tournament, their first major tournament since joining FIFA.[4]

In the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Ahmed Mogni scored a brace for Comoros in their 3–2 group match victory over Ghana in what the BBC described as "one of the biggest shocks in Nations Cup history".[5]

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Comoros are currently the only unbeaten team within Group I after they won 4-2 against Central African Republic and 1-0 against Ghana, with both games being played at home.[6]

Results and fixtures edit

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023 edit

28 March 2023 AFCON qualification Comoros   0–2   Ivory Coast Moroni, Comoros
15:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Stade Omnisports de Malouzini
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
17 June 2023 AFCON qualification Lesotho   0–1   Comoros Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Celso Armindo Alvação (Mozambique)
6 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Seychelles   0–3   Comoros Durban
15:00 Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
9 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Zambia   2–1   Comoros Durban
15:00
  • Mulambia   51'
  • Kangwanda   74'
Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Malawi   2–0   Comoros Durban
15:00
  • Kaonga   30' (pen.)
  • Mwaungulu   36'
Report Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium
9 September 2023 AFCON qualification Comoros   1–1   Zambia Moroni, Comoros
22:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stade Omnisports de Malouzini
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
17 October Friendly Cape Verde   1–2   Comoros Istres, France
Stadium: Stade Parsemain
17 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Comoros   4–2   Central African Republic Moroni, Comoros
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stade de Moroni
Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)
21 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Comoros   1–0   Ghana Moroni, Comoros
19:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Stade de Moroni
Attendance: 11,628
Referee: Abdel Aziz Mohamed Bouh (Mauritania)

2024 edit

22 March Friendly Comoros   4–0   Uganda Marrakech, Morocco
21:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
25 March Friendly Comoros   0–0   Angola Marrakech, Morocco
22:00 Report Stadium: Stade de Marrakech

Coaching history edit

Coaching staff edit

Position Name
Head coach   Stefano Cusin
Assistant coaches   Davide Cusin
  Aboubakar Houmadi
Goalkeeping coach   Faisal Soilihi
Fitness coach   Youssouf Omar
Match analyst   Said Hamadi
Technical director   Ali Mbaé Camara

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Central African Republic and Ghana on 17 and 21 November 2023.[7]

Caps and goals correct as of 21 November 2023, after the match against   Ghana.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Salim Ben Boina (1991-07-19) 19 July 1991 (age 32) 22 0   Épinal
1GK Yannick Pandor (2001-05-01) 1 May 2001 (age 22) 3 0   Lens
1GK Adel Anzimati-Aboudou (2001-11-05) 5 November 2001 (age 22) 1 0   US Quevilly B

2DF Mohamed Youssouf (1988-03-26) 26 March 1988 (age 36) 40 3   Ajaccio
2DF Saïd Bakari (1994-09-22) 22 September 1994 (age 29) 34 0   Sparta Rotterdam
2DF Kassim M'Dahoma (1997-01-26) 26 January 1997 (age 27) 27 1   GOAL FC
2DF Younn Zahary (1998-10-08) 8 October 1998 (age 25) 16 0   Mezőkövesd
2DF Ahmed Soilihi (1996-07-01) 1 July 1996 (age 27) 10 0   Martigues
2DF Abdel-Hakim Abdallah (1997-08-18) 18 August 1997 (age 26) 7 0   Rodez
2DF Yahaya Médard (2000-01-14) 14 January 2000 (age 24) 1 0   FCM Aubervilliers

3MF Youssouf M'Changama (1990-08-29) 29 August 1990 (age 33) 59 12   Troyes
3MF Benjaloud Youssouf (1994-02-11) 11 February 1994 (age 30) 42 4   Dunkerque
3MF Yacine Bourhane (1998-09-30) 30 September 1998 (age 25) 17 0   Esbjerg
3MF Haslane Alfonsi Ahmed (2001-12-28) 28 December 2001 (age 22) 5 0   Volcan Club
3MF Aymeric Ahmed (2003-11-08) 8 November 2003 (age 20) 4 0   Virton
3MF Raïmane Daou (2004-11-20) 20 November 2004 (age 19) 2 0   Olympique Marseille B
3MF Zainou Dine Mohamed (2000-06-16) 16 June 2000 (age 23) 2 0   Rousset SVO
3MF Kassim Hadji (2000-03-23) 23 March 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Ararat Yerevan

4FW Ibroihim Youssouf (1994-05-06) 6 May 1994 (age 29) 38 8   TS Sporting
4FW Ahmed Mogni (1991-10-10) 10 October 1991 (age 32) 30 4   Jeunesse Esch
4FW Faïz Selemani (1993-11-14) 14 November 1993 (age 30) 28 4   Al-Hazem
4FW Adel Mahamoud (2003-02-04) 4 February 2003 (age 21) 4 1   Nantes B
4FW Myziane Maolida (1999-02-14) 14 February 1999 (age 25) 2 2   Hertha BSC II
4FW Rafiki Saïd (2000-03-15) 15 March 2000 (age 24) 2 1   Troyes

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Salimo Velonjara (1988-11-10) 10 November 1988 (age 35) 16 0   Volcan Club 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games
GK Ali Ahamada (1991-08-19) 19 August 1991 (age 32) 36 0   Azam v.   Lesotho, 17 June 2023
GK Moustoifa Ali Soilihi (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 (age 30) 0 0   Ouani 2023 COSAFA Cup
GK Salim Ibrahim Youssouf (1993-11-30) 30 November 1993 (age 30) 0 0   Belle Lumière 2023 COSAFA Cup

DF Abdallah Ali Mohamed (1999-04-11) 11 April 1999 (age 25) 21 1   Lausanne Ouchy v.   Zambia, 9 September 2023
DF Soulaimana Malaga (1989-04-05) 5 April 1989 (age 35) 23 1   Etoile du Centre 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games
DF Mohammad Zamir (1995-10-28) 28 October 1995 (age 28) 16 0   Volcan Club 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games
DF Bakri Youssouf (1996-07-01) 1 July 1996 (age 27) 14 0   Djabal 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Abdallah Allaoui (1987-07-23) 23 July 1987 (age 36) 10 0   Volcan Club 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Aboubacar Said Abdallah (1995-01-10) 10 January 1995 (age 29) 2 0   Volcan Club 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Mohamed Salim Moustoifa (2002-07-29) 29 July 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Djabal 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Hassan Ali Mchangama (1997-12-31) 31 December 1997 (age 26) 0 0   Belle Lumière 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Madi Salim Houmadi (1998-06-19) 19 June 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Ngazi Sport 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Karim Attoumani (2001-03-24) 24 March 2001 (age 23) 3 0   Dijon v.   Lesotho, 17 June 2023
DF Akim Djaha (1998-09-14) 14 September 1998 (age 25) 3 0   Martigues v.   Ivory Coast, 28 March 2023
DF Yakine Said M'Madi (2004-03-11) 11 March 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Marseille v.   Ivory Coast, 28 March 2023
DF Ismaël Boura (2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Troyes v.   Ivory Coast, 28 March 2023

MF Fouad Bachirou (1990-04-15) 15 April 1990 (age 34) 41 0   Omonia v.   Zambia, 9 September 2023
MF Faouz Faidine Attoumane (1994-01-04) 4 January 1994 (age 30) 29 0   Nouadhibou 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games
MF Raidou Boina Bacar (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 (age 31) 21 3   Zilimadjou 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games
MF Mohamadou Ibrahim Cheikh (1997-08-08) 8 August 1997 (age 26) 6 1   Etoile des Comores 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Salim Nassur Bakari (2001-12-28) 28 December 2001 (age 22) 5 0   Volcan Club 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Omar Youssouf Houssam (1992-07-22) 22 July 1992 (age 31) 3 0   Djabal 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Said Abdallah Bacar (1997-08-08) 8 August 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Zilimadjou 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Halifa Soulé (1990-11-12) 12 November 1990 (age 33) 10 0   Béziers v.   Lesotho, 17 June 2023
MF Iyad Mohamed (2001-03-05) 5 March 2001 (age 23) 9 0   Le Mans v.   Lesotho, 17 June 2023

FW Ali M'Madi (1990-04-21) 21 April 1990 (age 33) 34 0   SAS Épinal v.   Zambia, 9 September 2023
FW Soiyir Sanali (2002-01-20) January 20, 2002 (age 22) 2 0   SO Romorantin v.   Zambia, 9 September 2023
FW William Vouama (1996-11-12) November 12, 1996 (age 27) 2 0   FC Fleury 91 v.   Zambia, 9 September 2023
FW Ibouniyamine Soulaimana (1999-05-10) 10 May 1999 (age 24) 17 1   Bazimini 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games
FW Moustoifa Ibrahim Hamid (1996-06-06) 6 June 1996 (age 27) 8 0   Volcan Club 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW Amir Youssouf Hamadi (1998-08-02) 2 August 1998 (age 25) 3 0   Djabal 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW Omar Ahmed Soilihi (2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 (age 23) 3 2   Djabal 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW Ibrahim Aboubacar Mohamed (1992-08-20) 20 August 1992 (age 31) 0 0   Zilimadjou 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (1989-06-10) 10 June 1989 (age 34) 37 17   APOEL v.   Ivory Coast, 28 March 2023

Player records edit

As of 21 November 2023[8]
Players in bold are still active with the Comoros.

Most appearances edit

 
Youssouf M'Changama is Comoros' most capped player with 57 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Youssouf M'Changama 59 12 2010–present
2 Benjaloud Youssouf 42 4 2015–present
3 Fouad Bachirou 41 0 2014–present
4 Nadjim Abdou 40 0 2010–present
Mohamed Youssouf 40 3 2011–present
6 Ibroihim Youssouf 38 8 2017–present
7 Ben Nabouhane 37 17 2014–present
8 Ali Ahamada 36 0 2016–present
9 Saïd Bakari 34 0 2017–present
Ali M'Madi 34 0 2010–present

Top goalscorers edit

 
Ben Nabouhane is Comoros' top scorer with 17 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Ben Nabouhane 17 37 0.46 2014–present
2 Youssouf M'Changama 12 59 0.2 2010–present
3 Ibroihim Youssouf 8 38 0.21 2017–present
4 Faïz Selemani 4 28 0.14 2017–present
Ahmed Mogni 4 30 0.13 2015–present
Benjaloud Youssouf 4 42 0.1 2015–present
7 Ali Nassim M'Changama 3 11 0.27 2019–present
Raïdou Boina Bacar 3 21 0.14 2015–present
Mohamed Youssouf 3 40 0.08 2011–present
10 Myziane Maolida 2 2 1 2023–present
Soulaimane Athoumane 2 3 0.67 2011
Affane Djambae 2 3 0.67 2023–present
Ahmed Saïd Anfane 2 4 0.5 2006–2011
Faiz Mattoir 2 11 0.18 2020–present
Mohamed Mouigni 2 11 0.18 2003–2010
Abdallah Saïd Sadad 2 11 0.18 2019–present
Djamel Bakar 2 16 0.13 2016–2018
Mohamed M'Changama 2 20 0.1 2010–2021

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1974 Part of   France Part of   France
1978 to 2006 Not affiliated with FIFA Not affiliated with FIFA
  2010 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 10
  2014 2 0 0 2 1 5
  2018 4 0 3 1 1 3
  2022 2 0 1 1 1 3
      2026 To be determined 2 2 0 0 5 2
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/4 11 1 4 6 10 23

Olympic Games edit

Olympic Games record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1900 to   1972 Part of   France (FRA)
  1976 to   1992 Not affiliated with the IOC
  1996 to   2004 Not affiliated with FIFA
  2008 Did not enter
  2012
  2016
  2020
  2024 To be determined
Total 0/27
  • Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since the 1992 edition.

Africa Cup of Nations edit

Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
  1957 Part of   France Part of   France
  1959
  1962
  1963
  1965
  1968
  1970
  1974
  1976 Not a member of CAF Not a member of CAF
  1978
  1980
  1982
  1984
  1986
  1988
  1990
  1992
  1994
  1996
  1998
    2000
  2002
  2004 Did not enter Did not enter
  2006
  2008
  2010 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 10
    2012 6 0 1 5 2 14
  2013 Did not enter Did not enter
  2015 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
  2017 6 1 0 5 2 7
  2019 8 2 3 3 8 10
  2021 Round of 16 16th 4 1 0 3 4 7 Squad 6 2 3 1 4 6
  2023 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 6 8
  2025 To be determined To be determined
      2027
Total Round of 16 1/34 4 1 0 3 4 7 36 7 9 20 25 57

African Games edit

African Games record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1965 to   1973 Part of   France (FRA)
  1978 to   1991 Not affiliated with the IOC
  1995 Did not enter
  1999
  2003
  2007
  2011
  2015
  2019
Total 0/12

African Nations Championship edit

African Nations Championship record African Nations Championship Qulaification record
Appearances: 0 Appearances: 5
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  2009 Did not enter Did not enter
  2011
  2014 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 2
  2016 2 0 1 1 0 2
  2018 4 2 0 2 4 4
  2020 2 0 1 1 0 2
  2022 2 0 1 1 0 1
      2024 To be determined To be determined
Total - 0/7 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2 4 6 4 11

COSAFA Cup edit

COSAFA Cup record
Appearances: 6
Year Round Result Pld W D L GF GA
1997 to 2007 Not affiliated with COSAFA
  2008 Group stage 11th 3 0 0 3 0 5
  2009 5th 3 1 1 1 2 4
  2010 Cancelled
  2013 Did not enter
  2015
  2016
  2017
  2018 Group stage 12th 3 0 1 2 1 5
  2019 Quarter-finals 8th 3 1 1 1 4 5
  2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  2021 Withdrew
  2022 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 3 5
  2023 8th 3 1 0 2 4 4
Total Quarter-finals 6/22 18 4 3 11 14 28

Indian Ocean Island Games edit

Indian Ocean Island Games record
Appearances: 10
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1979 Bronze medalists 3rd 4 1 0 3 4 12
  1985 Bronze medalists 3rd 3 1 1 1 4 3
  1990 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 2 8
  1993 Group Stage 5th 2 0 0 2 0 8
  1998 5th 2 0 0 2 0 6
  2003 Fourth place 4th 4 0 0 4 0 12
  2007 Group stage 6th 2 0 1 1 1 4
  2011 5th 3 0 2 1 2 4
  2015 7th 2 0 0 2 0 6
  2019 5th 3 2 0 1 4 2
  2023 Fourth place 4th 4 0 2 2 3 7
Total Bronze medalists 11/11 33 5 6 22 20 72

Arab Nations Cup/FIFA Arab Cup edit

FIFA Arab Cup record FIFA Arab Cup qualification record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1963 Part of   France Part of   France
  1964
  1966
  1985 Did not enter Did not enter
  1988
  1992
  1998 Withdrew Withdrew
  2002 Did not enter Did not enter
  2009 Did not qualify 1 2 1 0 1 4 3
  2012 Did not enter Did not enter
  2021 Did not qualify 1 0 0 1 1 5
Total 0/10 3 1 0 2 5 8

^1 The 2009 edition was cancelled during qualification.

Arab Games edit

Arab Games record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1953 to   1965 Part of   France (FRA)
  1976 to   1992 Not affiliated with the UANOC
  1997 Did not enter
  1999
  2004 No tournament
  2007 Did not enter
  2011
Total 0/11

Head-to-head record edit

As of 24 January 2022

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD
  Botswana 2 1 0 1 2 2 0
  Burkina Faso 3 0 1 2 1 4 −3
  Burundi 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1
  Cameroon 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4
  Djibouti 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2
  Egypt 2 0 1 1 0 4 −4
  Eswatini 2 0 1 1 2 5 −3
  Gabon 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1
  Ghana 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1
  Guinea 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1
  Ivory Coast 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2
  Kenya 5 1 3 1 6 6 0
  Lesotho 3 0 2 1 1 2 −1
  Libya 3 1 1 1 3 5 −2
  Madagascar 9 0 1 8 3 25 −22
  Malawi 4 1 0 3 3 5 −2
  Maldives 4 2 2 0 9 5 +4
  Mauritania 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1
  Mauritius 9 2 1 6 6 22 −16
  Mayotte 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2
  Morocco 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3
  Mozambique 5 0 0 5 1 12 −11
  Namibia 3 1 0 2 2 6 −4
  Palestine 1 0 0 1 1 5 −4
  Réunion 7 2 1 4 4 13 −9
  Seychelles 4 2 2 0 10 3 +7
  Sierra Leone 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2
  Togo 6 1 3 2 4 7 −3
  Uganda 2 0 0 2 0 2 −2
  Yemen 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2
  Zambia 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5
  Zimbabwe 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2
29 Countries 89 16 22 51 62 156 −93

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  3. ^ Vickers, Steve (24 October 2009). "BBC SPORT | Football | African | Comoros make steps forward". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Comoros achieve fairytale Nations Cup qualification". BBC Sport. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  5. ^ Stevens, Rob (18 January 2022). "Ghana dumped out of Afcon by Comoros". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  6. ^ "World Cup 2026 qualifying: Ghana shocked by Comoros, Senegal and Cameroon held". BBC News. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  7. ^ "La Liste". Twitter. Comoros Football 269. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  8. ^ Zimmerman, Benjamin. "Comoros". National Football Teams.

External links edit

  • FFC official website
  • Comoros at CAF
  • Comoros at FIFA
  • Bourtney, Barri. Comoros – List of International Matches± at RSSSF.com (Last updated: January 31, 2008)