Stefano Cusin's debut at the helm of the Comoros national team was marked by a conflict between a large majority of players, who opted out of the training camp in France, and the Federation. The islanders may have beaten Cape Verde (2-1, October 17), but before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Ghana in November, the tensions have not completely subsided.
Compared to some of his previous experiences in such complicated countries as Iran, Libya and, more recently, South Sudan, Stefano Cusin (54) could compare his hazing in the Comoros to a pleasant diversion.
"I had called up 19 players, but only 3 turned up". A few days before the training camp in Mallemort, in the south of France, and the friendly match scheduled against Cape Verde on October 17, the Italian has learned, often indirectly, that many players will not be making the trip."I had called up 19 players. Only 3 came: goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou (US Quevilly Rouen, France, L2), defender Glenn Younousse (Girondins de Bordeaux B, France, National 3) and midfielder Aymeric Ahmed (RE Virton, Belgium, Division 2). In a hurry, the staff and I called up boys aged 18, 19, 20 and a bit older, who were playing in Europe. We managed to put together a squad, work hard and win this match against a Cape Verdean team who scored after two or three minutes, and who perhaps imagined that it would be an easy match against a team that had been almost completely reshuffled," smiles Cusin.
The federation ready to talk
The tensions between the federation and a majority of the international players prevented the Transalpine from preparing ideally for the two matches against Central Africa and Ghana on November 16 and 21 in Moroni. "I called some players who had decided not to come to Mallemort. There's a problem between them and the federation, and the two parties need to talk things over. I'm here to look after the sporting side of things, and I think many of them will be here in three weeks' time."
Saïd Ali Athouman, president of the Comoros federation, also hopes things will calm down quickly, although he intends to stand firm on his positions. "The players sent out a press release before the October training camp, but I have to admit that I didn't fully understand their demands. They need to be aware of something: we can discuss travel conditions, accommodation, bonuses... A lot has been improved in these areas recently. The Comoros is a small country, and I'm aware that we can still improve. But I don't see why, in this press release, they've come to talk about women's soccer or the equipment manufacturer", explains the manager.
During a discussion with Comoros captain El Fardou ben Mohamed (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus), the president of the body reminded the player that he was ready to discuss everything except subjects "that don't concern the players. There are footballers in this squad who think they speak on behalf of the group. Some of those who weren't in France told me they had refused to come out of solidarity. The squad doesn't belong to anyone. I don't think some players have necessarily accepted the Federation's decision to change coach (Younes Zerdouk was replaced by Cusin in September, editor's note). They may not agree, but what counts is the national team. Besides, it's a choice made by the federation, and they have to accept it. We'll have a chat before the two November matches, but the players shouldn't get involved in the federation's decisions.
See you in November With just three weeks to go before the Coelacanths' next fixtures, one of the main questions concerns the presence of the players initially called up by Cusin for the training camp and friendly match in France."The coach will make his choices.And if some players don't want to come, we can't force them," continues Saïd Ali Athouman, who says he has "appreciated" the coach's attitude to events.
"He didn't panic at all, he remained serene, very focused on his work, looking for solutions to replace those who weren't there. I think the fact that he's European, and therefore a stranger to issues between the players and the federation, helped him. What's more, I really thought that the national team, despite being deprived of a number of first-team regulars, played a very good match against an opponent who had qualified for the next African Cup of Nations..."
