Le football comorien entre dans une nouvelle ère. Le technicien français Hubert Velud, âgé de 66 ans, a posé ses valises à Moroni début mars 2026 pour prendre officiellement les rênes de la sélection nationale des Cœlacanthes. Succédant à l’Italien Stefano Cusin, après une participation à la CAN 2025 marquée par une élimination en phase de groupes, Hubert Velud arrive avec un bagage solide sur le continent africain : passages remarqués à la tête des sélections du Burkina Faso, du Togo et du Soudan, ainsi qu’une expérience en club notamment au Maroc avec l’AS FAR.

Dès ses premiers contacts et déclarations, le nouveau sélectionneur des Comores, Hubert Velud, a fixé un cap clair et ambitieux : assurer une participation régulière des Comores à la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (CAN). Une ambition qui résonne particulièrement fort à l’approche de la CAN 2027, co-organisée par le Kenya, l’Ouganda et la Tanzanie, trois pays d’Afrique de l’Est géographiquement très proches de l’archipel comorien.

Hubert Velud officiellement nommé sélectionneur des Cœlacanthes du Comores. pic.twitter.com/yurMZXwPGV

— Ablam GNAMESSO (@AblamGnamesso) March 7, 2026

La Fédération comorienne de football (FFC) mise sur Hubert Velud pour poursuivre la progression entamée ces dernières années, malgré les contraintes budgétaires et logistiques inhérentes à un petit archipel.

Hubert Velud Sets Clear Ambition After Becoming Comoros Coach

Comorian football is entering a new chapter following the appointment of experienced French coach Hubert Velud as the head coach of the national team. The 66-year-old tactician officially arrived in Moroni in early March 2026 to take charge of the Coelacanths and begin preparations for upcoming international competitions.

His appointment marks an important moment for the Comoros national team, which has made steady progress in African football over the past decade. The federation hopes that the experience and knowledge of the French coach will help the team continue its upward trajectory on the continent.

A new era for Comoros football

The arrival of the new head coach comes after the end of Stefano Cusin’s tenure. Under the Italian manager, the national side participated in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but was eliminated in the group stage.

Despite that disappointment, the tournament appearance confirmed the growing competitiveness of the island nation on the African stage.

The federation now hopes that the new coaching leadership will help the team build on that foundation and reach new milestones in the coming years.

With his vast experience across African football, the French tactician is considered well equipped to guide the national side through the next phase of development.

Strong African coaching experience

The new Comoros coach brings an impressive resume from across the African continent.

During his career, he has managed several national teams, including Burkina Faso, Togo, and Sudan. His time with Sudan was particularly notable, as he helped the team qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, demonstrating his ability to build competitive squads under challenging conditions.

In addition to international coaching roles, the experienced manager has also worked at club level. One of his most notable club appointments came in Morocco with AS FAR Rabat, one of the country’s most historic teams.

These experiences have given the French coach a deep understanding of African football, including the unique challenges faced by smaller federations.

Clear ambition for AFCON participation

From his first public statements after arriving in Moroni, the new coach made his objectives clear.

He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Comoros national team qualifies regularly for the Africa Cup of Nations.

For the federation, consistent qualification for the continent’s biggest tournament would represent a major step forward in strengthening the country’s football reputation.

The next major opportunity will come with AFCON 2027, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The location of the tournament is particularly significant for the island nation, as the host countries are geographically close to the Comoros archipelago in East Africa.

This proximity could allow the team to benefit from strong regional support if they manage to qualify.

Federation backing the new project

The Comoros Football Federation (FFC) has expressed strong confidence in its new coach.

Officials believe his experience and leadership will help maintain the progress the national team has made in recent years.

In a relatively short time, the Coelacanths have transformed from a little-known team into a competitive side capable of challenging stronger African nations.

The federation hopes the new leadership will strengthen the team’s organization, improve player development, and ensure long-term stability within the national setup.

Challenges facing Comoros football

Despite the progress achieved in recent years, the national team still faces several challenges.

As a small island nation, Comoros operates with limited financial resources and logistical constraints compared to many larger African federations.

Travel, infrastructure, and player availability can sometimes complicate preparations for international competitions.

However, the team has repeatedly shown resilience and determination in overcoming these obstacles.

With the guidance of the new technical staff, the federation hopes to further strengthen the team’s structure and competitive level.

Looking ahead to the future

The appointment of the French tactician signals the beginning of a new phase for the national team.

Supporters will be eager to see how the squad evolves under his leadership and whether the ambitious objective of regular AFCON qualification can be achieved.

For the players, the arrival of an experienced coach offers an opportunity to develop further and compete more effectively on the continental stage.

As preparations begin for upcoming international fixtures, the focus will be on building a cohesive squad capable of representing the island nation with pride.

The new coaching era has officially begun, and expectations are high as Comorian football looks toward a promising future.