Comoros are back at the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in the nations history. The national team are known as Les Coelecantes, named after a rare fish that is found primarily in the waters around Comoros. The island nation off the East Coast of Africa has a population of 883 thousand, making it the smallest nation by population competing in this year’s tournament. Comoros had a very impressive qualifying campaign to reach AFCON 2025, going unbeaten and topping a group which included Tunisia, Gambia, and Madagascar. One of the highlights of the impressive campaign was a 1-0 away win to group favorites Tunisia in Matchday 3 which set Comoros on a clear path to qualification.
Comoros are looking to build on what was a very successful first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, when they advanced to the Round of 16 before falling to hosts Cameroon. They will face the hosts again this time around, as they have the unenviable task of playing Morocco in the tournament opener in Rabat. Comoros also met Morocco during the group stage in 2021 where they lost 2-0.
Comoros will have to deal with the loss of one of their star defenders, Warmed Omari, who suffered a torn ligament in October playing for his club Hamburger SV.
Comoros are a side built largely of dual-national recruits, most of whom were born in France who have a large diaspora of Comorians due to the colonization of Comoros by France in the 1800s. Les Coelecantes will have an uphill task to get out of what looks like a difficult group.
Potential Starting XI
Coach
Stefano Cusin
Stefano Cusin took charge of Comoros in 2023, the latest stop on his globetrotting coaching career. This is the 3rd African national team Cusin has coached after Congo and South Sudan. This will be his maiden appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Players to Watch
Youssouf M’Changama
Age: 35
Position: CM
Caps/Goals: 71/15
Club: Al-Batin SC (Saudi Arabia)
M’Changama made his debut for Comoros all the way back in 2010, and is now Les Coelecantes all time record appearance maker. M’Changama will be relied on for his experience in the middle of the park.
Rafiki Saïd
Age: 25
Position: LW
Caps/Goals: 17/8
Club: Standard Liège (Belgium)
Rafiki Saïd made his Comoros debut in 2023 and has an impressive 8 goals in 17 matches. Saïd scored the winner in Comoros famous 1-0 away win in Tunisia during qualifying.
Comoros Schedule
December 21, 2025 vs. Morocco – Rabat
December 26, 2025 vs. Zambia – Casablanca
December 29, 2025 vs. Mali – Casablanca
Country Information
Did you know…
Comoros is the world’s largest producer of ylang-ylang, a flower which is used to produce perfumes.
