Senegal and Comoros targeting first meeting at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome

Senegal and Comoros are in advanced negotiations over a friendly at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome on 3 or 4 October, according to Afrik-Foot.

Several details still need to be finalised, but the Senegalese and Comorian football federations are working towards staging the first meeting between the two national teams in Marseille.

A source close to the discussions said the preferred options were Saturday, 3 October, or Sunday, 4 October.

“We are working on the dates of Saturday 3 or Sunday 4, therefore during a weekend, so that families can come in large numbers to enjoy the event,” the source told Afrik-Foot.

The proposed fixture would be played in an area with significant Senegalese and Comorian communities. Many Franco-Comorians and Comorians live in the Bouches-du-Rhone region, particularly in Marseille, where the Senegalese community is also strongly represented.

The match could carry particular significance for several Senegal internationals who have previously played for Olympique de Marseille, including Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye, Edouard Mendy and Bamba Dieng.

It would have an added emotional dimension for a number of Comoros players born in Marseille, among them Yannick Pandor, Youssouf M’Changama, Kassim M’Dahoma, Faiz Selemani and Bendjaloud Youssouf.

Their involvement would depend on selection, however, with not all of those players having been called up since the last Africa Cup of Nations.

The friendly would come only a few days after the opening two qualifying rounds for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which are scheduled for September.

Senegal, now coached by Patrick Vieira, are due to host Mozambique before travelling to Ethiopia. Comoros will face Cameroon away from home before hosting Namibia.

The Senegalese team are beginning a new cycle after a difficult World Cup campaign marked by controversy and ending in a painful 3-2 extra-time defeat by Belgium in the last 16.

That transition could include a change in generation. The recent announcement of Cherif Ndiaye’s retirement from international football is one example of the changes taking place in the squad.

Comoros also have a new head coach. Hubert Velud replaced Stefano Cusin in March, following the team’s first-round elimination at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Velud’s first fixtures in charge came during the March FIFA Series. Comoros drew 0-0 with Namibia before losing 1-0 to Kazakhstan. The French coach then recorded his first victory with the Cœlacanthes in June, when they beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0.

The proposed Marseille fixture would therefore offer both sides an opportunity to prepare for their next competitive commitments while also providing a major event for supporters from the two countries living in the region.

However, the match has not yet been formally announced, and the final date and other arrangements remain subject to agreement between the two federations.