Selemani, Rafiki Saïd and Boura return as Comoros strengthen squad for Congo double-header

Comoros have been boosted by the return of Faïz Selemani, Rafiki Saïd and Ismaël Boura among five players recalled for their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying double-header against Congo.

Coach Hubert Velud has also brought back Saïd Bakari and Anfane Saïd Djambae in a 24-man squad for the matches on 13 and 17 November, as the Coelacanths look to strengthen their position in a tightly contested Group G.

The returns provide Comoros with important reinforcements in both attack and defence after a mixed start to the campaign.

Velud’s side lost their opening qualifier against Cameroon before recovering with a 1-0 victory over Namibia, leaving them on three points after two matches. Cameroon lead the group with four points, while Comoros and Namibia are level on three and Congo sit bottom with one.

Selemani’s recall is particularly significant.

The experienced Qatar SC winger was left out of the September squad as Velud looked to create more opportunities for younger players, but he now returns for a double-header that could have a major bearing on qualification.

Rafiki Saïd, who joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in July, is also back after missing the previous camp through injury. His pace and direct attacking threat give Velud another important option in the final third.

Boura, currently with Troyes, also returns after injury, adding competition on the left side of defence.

Velud has otherwise kept faith with much of the group used during the opening two qualifiers.

Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, now with Amiens, remains part of the squad, while Warmed Omari, Akim Abdallah, Kenan Toibibou and Yannis Kari are retained in defence.

In midfield, Zaydou Youssouf, Yacine Bourhane, Iyad Mohamed and Rayan Lutin remain among the key options, while the attacking group also includes Aboubacar Ali Abdallah, Housseine Zakouani, Aymeric Ahmed and Zaïd Amir.

Comoros host Congo at the Stade de Malouzini on 13 November before travelling to Brazzaville for the return match at the Stade Alphonse-Massamba-Débat four days later.

The two games are especially important because Congo are also under pressure after taking only one point from their opening fixtures.

With Cameroon only one point ahead at the top of Group G, a strong return from the November window could significantly improve Comoros’ chances of remaining firmly in the qualification race.

Comoros squad for Congo

Goalkeepers:
Yannick Pandor (Amiens SC, France)
Adel Anzimati (Ararat Yerevan, Armenia)
Naïme Saïd Mchindra

Defenders:
Ali Mohamed Abdallah
Saïd Bakari (without club)
Yakine Saïd M’Madi
Kenan Toibibou (NK Bravo, Slovenia)
Warmed Omari (Hamburger SV, Germany)
Yannis Kari
Akim Abdallah (Pau FC, France)
Ismaël Boura (ESTAC Troyes, France)

Midfielders:
Iyad Mohamed (Casa Pia, Portugal)
Yacine Bourhane (Aris Limassol, Cyprus)
Zaydou Youssouf (Al-Fateh, Saudi Arabia)
Ben-Chayeel Hamada (Dijon, France)
Rayan Lutin (Amiens SC, France)
Idris Mohamed

Forwards:
Housseine Zakouani (Young Africans, Tanzanie)
Aymeric Ahmed (US Créteil, France)
Aboubacar Ali Abdallah (Francs Borains, Belgique)
Anfane Saïd Djambae (Al-Nasr, Arabie saoudite)
Faïz Selemani (Qatar SC, Qatar)
Rafiki Saïd (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
Zaïd Amir (Valenciennes, France)