Comoros captain Youssouf M’Changama has expressed confidence that his side can still progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite opening their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to host nation Morocco.
The Coelacanths were beaten in the tournament’s opening match but produced a spirited display that left their skipper encouraged rather than disheartened.
Speaking after the final whistle, M’Changama admitted the disappointment of starting with a loss while highlighting the resilience and commitment shown by his teammates.
“We came here with the ambition to get a result. Losing, of course, hurts,” he said.
He also praised the electric atmosphere inside the stadium, describing it as an added source of motivation for the players. Aware of Morocco’s attacking strength, Comoros adopted a cautious approach in the first half, showing bravery and discipline as they absorbed sustained pressure from the hosts.
After the break, Stefano Cusin’s side attempted to play with greater intent going forward, but a positional lapse proved costly and shifted the momentum of the match.
M’Changama identified the moment as particularly frustrating, especially as Comoros had begun to feel more in control of the game. He also pointed to Rafiki Saïd’s missed chance shortly afterwards as a key regret on the night.
“At this level, opportunities are rare. You have to know how to seize them,” he acknowledged.
Despite the defeat, the Comoros captain remains optimistic about what lies ahead. Confident in the quality and character within the squad, M’Changama believes their performance against Morocco offers genuine hope for qualification.
“Given what we’ve shown, there’s reason to believe. We can aim higher and make it out of the group stage,” he asserted.
After the opening defeat to Morocco, Comoros will now take on Zambia in their next match on Friday, December 26.
