Comoros are set to make a return to the Africa Cup of Nations, marking their second appearance at the continental showpiece when the tournament takes place in Morocco.
The island nation first announced themselves on the African stage with a historic debut at the 2021 AFCON but missed out on qualification for the most recent edition in Côte d’Ivoire. Their return this year represents a significant milestone, particularly for head coach Stefano Cusin, who will be making his first-ever appearance at Africa’s biggest football competition.
Comoros have been drawn in Group A, where they will face host nation Morocco, Mali and Zambia, making their return to the tournament an immediate test against experienced opposition.
Speaking exclusively to ABC News GH TV ahead of the tournament, Cusin described the qualification as a special personal and professional achievement, recalling the difficult circumstances under which he took over the team.
“It’s a special moment for me because when I took the team, it was a bad moment for the Comoros national team,” he said. “They did not qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast. When they contacted me, they asked me to rebuild the team and bring in youthful players.”
According to Cusin, the initial task was to rebuild confidence and structure within the squad before gradually implementing his ideas on the pitch.
“The challenge was first to rebuild the team and then get to work. We started playing matches, and the support from the players and the federation was great,” he explained.
That rebuilding process paid off, as Comoros topped a challenging qualification group that included Tunisia, The Gambia and Madagascar.
“We qualified as the first team from a difficult group. For us, it’s something nice and special, and we want to enjoy it,” Cusin added.
The Comoros coach also revealed that the fighting spirit shown by the team during their AFCON 2021 debut played a key role in his decision to take on the job.
“I saw the performance of the players at the 2021 AFCON. I liked their spirit they never gave up. That’s why when they contacted me, I was immediately interested in working with them,” he said.
As Comoros prepare to compete in Group A against some of the continent’s heavyweights, Cusin and his youthful squad will be hoping to once again defy expectations and build on the fighting identity that earned them admiration during their debut tournament.
