Comoros - Yannick Pandor: "We're thinking of pulling off a shock against Morocco at AFCON 2025"

On their return to the Africa Cup of Nations, Comoros have a tough task in Group A against hosts Morocco (21 December 2025), Zambia (26 December) and Mali (29 December 2025). Although the group is a difficult one, the Comorian players, including Yannick Pandor, are confident and ready to pull off a shock. The 23-year-old goalkeeper looked ahead to the opening game against the Atlas Lions and the team's ambitions for the tournament. He also spoke about his first professional season with US Boulogne in the National.

Comoros have been drawn in Group A with Morocco, Mali and Zambia. What was your reaction to the draw?

Yannick Pandor: First of all, we're very happy to be taking part in this AFCON. We worked hard to get here. Being in pot 4, we knew we'd end up in a very tough group, and that's what has happened. We've drawn the hosts, Morocco, one of the best nations in Africa and now one of the best in the world. This game will help us improve, building on everything we can bring. Then there are the other two teams in the group, Mali and Zambia, two big nations who are very difficult to play against. So it's going to be a very tough group with some great games, and we'll try to give our all.

"We know what we're capable of. We set ourselves no limits"

On your return to AFCON, Comoros will play the opening game against the hosts, Morocco. Have you already got that match in the back of your mind? Is a shock possible from the outset?

Yannick Pandor: As soon as I saw the fixture and that it was the opening game, against Morocco of course, you think about everything that could happen and picture how the match might go; pulling off a shock against them. We know what we're capable of. We set ourselves no limits. Anything is possible on a pitch, and even more so at an AFCON. We're confident in our qualities and we'll give everything. That game is certainly a mouthwatering prospect.

You will play Mali twice in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers before the meeting at AFCON 2025. Is that the best possible preparation?

Yannick Pandor: Yes, it's very good preparation. These aren't friendlies. These are games that matter enormously to them and to us, because they're World Cup qualifiers. It will prepare us for a real competition and for intense games, and we'll get to know the side we're facing and prepare as well as we can, to find the best solutions ahead of AFCON.

"The aim is to win, win, win as much as possible"

We know Comoros are on a very good run. What are your ambitions for AFCON 2025?

Yannick Pandor: It's true that we're on a good run and that we've done some really good things lately. But it's the result of long, patient work that has allowed us to do all this together. It all stems from the older players who have been there from the start and passed all of this on to us. We try to work as hard as we can. The national team is also starting to progress, and that means we're moving forward together, hand in hand. It comes down to hard work, and it shows in the results, which are currently going our way. For AFCON 2025, it's the same: stay on this run, keep improving, keep stepping up a level, stay among the teams where we are at the moment. The aim is to win, win, win as much as possible. After that, fate will decide. In any case, we'll give everything for the nation and we'll see what's in store for us.

"My personal goal for this AFCON is, first of all, to be there"

What is Yannick Pandor's personal goal for his first Africa Cup of Nations?

Yannick Pandor: My personal goal for this AFCON is, first of all, to be there. Because it's still a long way off. We don't know what can happen between now and December. It's about being in top form so I can take part in the first place. Then, if I'm lucky enough to take part, it's about giving everything, giving my all. You rarely get to play in a competition like that in a career. You have to enjoy every moment, make the most of it, and then we'll see what happens after that.

How would you assess your loan season at US Boulogne?

Yannick Pandor: So far with USBCO (Union Sportive Boulogne Côte d'Opale, editor's note), it's a season that's dear to me and very important for me, because it lets me take that step up and gain the experience I needed in my career. Because I've never really played in a first team before. It's been a very good first half of the season because we're currently second, and as a newly promoted side, we didn't really expect to be here at the start of the season. For my part, I feel I'm improving enormously in some areas where I was lacking. That's the aim, and now there's a second half of the season to come. I have to do even more. I know the areas where I need to improve and, frankly, I'm in the perfect team to be able to progress and have a very big season. We have the ability, we can see that now. We'll have to back up everything we did in the first half of the season.