Farewell to a pioneer: Father of Comoros football Tourqui Salim dies in Moroni

Tourqui Salim has passed away. The former Comoros Football Federation (FCF) president passed away at the age of 66 in the capital, Moroni, as the nation mourns his passing.

The former police officer turned businessman led the FCF for twenty years between 1997 and 2017. During Salim’s tenure, Comoros was recognized by CAF (in 2000) and FIFA (in 2005). Prior to Salim’s leadership, Comoros only played in the Indian Ocean Islands Championship. His effort to incorporate his country into FIFA was first rejected in 2004 but succeeded during the 2005 FIFA Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco, when Comoros became the 207th member.

Salim left his post after a rift with the Ministry of Sport in 2017. He was credited with bringing former national team coach Amir Abdou to the helm in 2014. Abdou would later help the Coelacanths reach their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

Comoros president Azali Assoumani, COSAFA, and the FCF have all sent condolences to his family and the entire Comoros football fraternity. The 2025 COSAFA Africa U17 Cup of Nations Qualifier game between Zimbabwe and Comoros in Harare observed a moment of silence.

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