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After the match Comoros-Guinea (1-0), on October 12, 2019 in Versailles. RFI / David Kalfa

The Comorians have gained confidence one month before the start of the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations 2021. The "Coelacanthes" beat the Guineans 1-0, this October 12 at Versailles. A success that helps them forget their hectic qualifying campaign for the CAN 2019, marked by a legal wrestling lost to the African Football Confederation.

From our special envoy to Versailles,

The big smiles are out among the Comoran footballers, this October 12, 2019. In front of Guinea (1-0) , they have just offered themselves another victory, a little less than a year after their last success. It was against Malawi (2-1) in qualifying for CAN 2019 . But this period, the "Coelacanths" would prefer to forget it a little.

Because these playoffs had been full of polemics, following the change of organizing country for the last African Cup of Nations. Before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Football Federation of the Comoros (FFC) had claimed, without success, the disqualification of Cameroon , one of his opponents in Group B.

Amir Abdou, the coach of the Comoros, has a certain sadness with regard to the showdown with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the decision of the CAS. " We still have this ghost," he sighs. We watched this CAN on television. And, to be honest, it was with bitterness. When I saw teams like Madagascar, Benin, I wondered why we did not have our place in Egypt .

"All that is forgotten"

The goalkeeper, Ali Ahamada, keeps the memory of a delicate phase for his team, at the time of the legal imbroglio between his Federation and the CAF: " It is true that there was an administrative alternative . We tried to play our cards thoroughly, whether in the field or administratively. This qualifying phase was very difficult for us because we had a bit of a sense of unfairness. But we have to move on and get back to work because we have deadlines that happen very quickly . "

A feeling shared by striker Ali M'Madi: " The elimination for 2019 hurt us because we were hoping for a lot ... We tried to focus on football. But we had not believed until the end. It did not happen and it's football. Now we are looking for these qualifications for CAN 2021. "

Togo and Egypt in focus

Ali M'Madi prefers to think about the match in Togo and home against the Egyptians, scheduled for November. " It is already good for us, the Comorians, to receive big teams of African football like these, at home. Our supporters will be proud and happy. Of course, it will be difficult to qualify. But if we start the competition well, anything can happen .

Amir Abdou concludes with amusement: " We are on an ejection seat because the Comorians are very demanding ! As soon as you lose a match, it is limited if you are not the most one. And as soon as you win one, people return their jackets. It's double-sided ! "