Comoros crisis: federation balances conciliation with firmness

Compared with some of his previous postings in difficult countries such as Iran, Libya and, more recently, South Sudan, Stefano Cusin (54) could well regard his baptism of fire in the Comoros as a pleasant diversion.

"I called up 19 players, only 3 came"

A few days before the get-together in Mallemort, in the south of France, and the friendly against Cape Verde on 17 October, the Italian learned, often indirectly, that many players would not be making the trip. "I 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 rush, the staff and I called up lads aged 18, 19, 20 and a little older, playing in Europe. We managed to put a squad together, to work, and to win that game against a Cape Verdean side who scored after two or three minutes and perhaps thought it would be an easy match against an almost completely remodelled team," Cusin smiles.

Federation ready to talk…

The tensions between the federation and a majority of the internationals have therefore stopped the Italian from preparing ideally for the two matches on 16 and 21 November in Moroni against Central African Republic and Ghana. "I called up players who had decided not to come to Mallemort. There is a problem between them and the federation, and the two sides need to talk. I'm here to take care of the sporting side, and I think many of them will be here in three weeks."

Saïd Ali Athouman, president of the Comoros federation, also hopes things will calm down quickly, even though he intends to stand his ground. " The players sent a statement before the October get-together, but I admit I didn't fully understand their demands. They need to be aware of one thing: we can discuss travel conditions, accommodation, bonuses… Many things have been improved in those areas recently. The Comoros is a small country, and I'm aware that we can still improve. But I don't see why, in that statement, they bring up women's football or the kit supplier, " the official explains.

…but not on every subject

In a conversation with Comoros captain El Fardou ben Mohamed (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus), the federation president reminded the player that he was ready to discuss anything 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 national team belongs to no one. I think some players haven't necessarily accepted that the federation decided to change the head coach (Younes Zerdouk was replaced by Cusin in September, editor's note). They may disagree, but what matters is the national team. And besides, it's a decision the federation made, and they have to accept it. We will talk before the two November matches, but the players must not get involved in matters that are the federation's responsibility. "

Back in action in November

With around three weeks to go until the Coelacanths' next fixtures, one of the main questions is whether the players Cusin originally called up for the camp and the friendly in France will be available. "The coach will make his choices. And if players don't want to come, we can't force them," continues Saïd Ali Athouman, who says he "appreciated" the head coach's attitude in the face of events.

"He didn't panic at all, he stayed calm and 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 the issues between the players and the federation, helped him. And what's more, I really felt the team, even without many regular starters, played a very good game against an opponent who have qualified for the next AFCON…"

Alexis Billebault