When Comoros take the field against Morocco in the opening match of AFCON 2025, it will mark another historic chapter for one of African football's most inspiring underdog stories. Considered one of Africa's smallest footballing nations, the island nation with a population of just over 850,000 has defied all odds to reach the continental stage for the second time.
From FIFA Newcomers to AFCON Qualifiers
The Comoros national football team, known as the Coelacanths, represents a nation that only joined the Confederation of African Football in 2003 and became a FIFA member in 2005. Their rise has been nothing short of remarkable.
Comoros didn't win their first competitive international match until 2016, beating Botswana 1-0 in an AFCON qualifier. Less than a decade later, they have established themselves as a genuine force in African football qualifying.
A Perfect Qualifying Campaign
Comoros topped Group A in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers with 12 points, finishing ahead of Tunisia, Gambia, and Madagascar without losing a single match. This was their best-ever AFCON qualifying campaign in terms of wins and defensive record.
The Coelacanths recorded three wins and three draws in qualifying, conceding just four goals across six matches. Their finest result was defeating Tunisia in Tunis, before holding the North African nation to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
Key players in the qualifying campaign included Warmed Omari and Saïd Bakari, who played every minute of the six qualifying matches, anchoring the side with experience and leadership.
The Historic 2021 Debut
Comoros made a remarkable debut at AFCON 2021, advancing to the knockout stage in their first-ever appearance at a major tournament. Although they lost their opening match 1-0 to Gabon, they quickly found their feet.
The defining moment came with a famous 3-2 victory over Ghana in the group stage, a result that announced their arrival on the African football map. The four-time African champions were stunned as Comoros showed they could compete with the continent's elite.
Benefiting from the tournament's expansion, Comoros progressed as one of the four best third-placed teams. Their run ended in the Round of 16 against hosts Cameroon (2-1), but they left with their heads held high.
A Source of National Pride
"We missed the AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire. It was sad, but today we've proved once again that we have the level to be at this AFCON. It's a source of pride for the entire Comorian people, even though we are a small country," said forward El Fardou Ben Mohamed ahead of the tournament.
The importance of the moment has not gone unnoticed at home. Comoros President Azali Assoumani personally visited the squad to show his support before their opening match against Morocco.
Looking Ahead
Currently coached by Italian-Canadian Stefano Cusin, who took charge in October 2023, Comoros arrive in Morocco no longer as newcomers but as a team shaped by discipline, collective strength, and recent success.
Ranked 108th in the FIFA men's rankings, they face a daunting task against the tournament hosts. But as their history shows, the Coelacanths are never to be underestimated. The challenge now is to turn momentum into another statement performance and continue their steady climb among Africa's emerging forces.