Stefano Cusin reflects on remarkable Comoros progress

Former Comoros head coach Stefano Cusin has described his tenure as “extremely satisfactory” after his dismissal, pointing to what he called significant progress during his time in charge of the national team.

The Italian manager, who oversaw 24 matches with the Coelacanths, reflected on his achievements in an interview following his departure.

His record included 12 wins, six draws and six defeats, a run he believes demonstrated clear development for the team.

Cusin highlighted several results that he considers defining moments of his spell.

Among them was Comoros’ performance in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished top of their group without losing a match.

The group included Tunisia, Gambia and Madagascar, and the campaign featured a notable victory away to Tunisia.

“We were in a very difficult group with Tunisia, Gambia, and Madagascar. We finished first, undefeated, with the best attack and the best defense. And above all, that victory in Tunisia… against a team that hadn’t lost at home for 14 years. We beat Ghana and Cape Verde, who have now qualified for the 2026 World Cup. We beat Gambia, and then there was that first victory against Madagascar… These are results that matter.”

He also pointed to results in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, including wins against Ghana and Madagascar, as evidence of the team’s ability to compete at a higher level.

For Cusin, these outcomes reflected not only individual performances but also the collective progress of the squad.

Despite his dismissal, the coach expressed satisfaction with the overall trajectory of the national team during his tenure.

He described the period as one of notable advancement, both in terms of results and broader development.

“Honestly, it’s an extremely positive, even historic, record. In two years, we’ve climbed 30 places in the FIFA rankings. That’s huge, especially for a nation like the Comoros. It’s the strongest progress in Africa over this period. When I arrived, the team’s market value on Transfermarkt was around 3 million euros. Today, it’s 21 million. That means we’ve developed the players. We’ve integrated dual nationals, but also given a chance to many young players who have grown and joined more competitive leagues,” he said.

Cusin attributed these improvements to a collective effort involving players, staff, the national federation and government support.

According to him, the environment created during his tenure played a key role in allowing players to perform at their best.

“Everyone was pulling in the same direction. This created a healthy environment where the players could fully express themselves. They are extraordinary young men. We experienced something truly powerful on a human level.”

The sense of unity he described, he suggested, was central to the team’s performances and the progress made over the two-year period.

It also contributed to what he viewed as a strong foundation for the future of Comorian football.

However, Cusin acknowledged one significant challenge that he believes affected the team’s results, particularly in World Cup qualifying.

He pointed to the absence of home matches as a disadvantage that limited their chances.

“It penalized us, especially for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. If we had had that advantage, I think the outcome could have been different. Despite that, we were top of our group for a long time.”

This factor, he argued, made it more difficult to maintain momentum, especially in a competitive qualification campaign.

Playing away from home deprived the team of support and familiar conditions that could have influenced key matches.

Cusin’s reflections present a picture of a tenure marked by both progress and challenges.

While the results and statistical improvements form a central part of his assessment, he also emphasised the human and structural aspects of the experience.

His departure brings an end to a period he believes was significant for the national team.

The improvements in rankings, player development and competitive performances are elements he sees as part of his legacy.

Although his time with the Coelacanths has concluded, Cusin’s comments suggest he views the experience as a positive chapter.

By highlighting both achievements and obstacles, he has offered a detailed account of his time in charge.

The discussion around his tenure is likely to continue, particularly given the measurable progress he outlined.

For Cusin, however, the conclusion is clear: the mission, in his view, was fulfilled.