After four weeks of matches, the African Cup of Nations football ends this Sunday, February 6. Egypt face Senegal at 8 p.m. After a good run, the Comoros, who participated in their very first AFCON, were eliminated by Cameroon in the round of 16. Bendjaloud Youssouf, right defender of Berrichonne Football Club, is Comorian. He looks back on his first participation in the CAN.
“Our journey is historic”
A cut full of pitfalls for the Comoros. First, the players found themselves without a goalkeeper because of the Covid. Then, a stampede left 8 people dead during their game against Cameroon. Despite everything, Bendjaloud Youssouf emerges from his first CAN with great pride. “Already to have made history in relation to this first participationsays the player. Then, our journey is historic with all these adventures. We still knew how to play and make a huge match, while after five minutes, we took a red card “.
The Comorian team ended up with ten players. “The task was even more difficult, especially against the host countryhe says. But we had a very big game, we had a lot of scoring chances. Even if we didn’t win, we come out victorious with honors and a beautiful image of the Comoros”.
An unforgettable qualification
Bendjaloud Youssouf will remember their qualification all his life in the round of 16. With the Covid, Comorian players spent very little time together. “We were often all in our rooms, we couldn’t get together to play cards”regrets the Berri player.
The qualifying match against Cameroon was finally one of the only times the players were able to be all together. “We experienced enormous emotions on the pitch, we all exploded at that moment to finally be able to meet again. I think it’s this moment that will remain etched in my memory”he assures.
“We highlighted our country”
But the Berri player retains above all from his first participation in the CAN the visibility she brought to her country. “Few people knew the Comoros and the place where the archipelago was located. Thanks to the Can, we highlighted our countryrejoices Bendjaloud Youssouf. We made him known but we also showed that we had a very good team. We gave a good image to the whole world, that’s especially what I remember”.
Kick off for the CAN final between Senegal and Egypt this Sunday evening at 8 p.m. Bendjaloud Yousouf told us to cross his fingers for Senegal. He predicts a score of 2 to 1. Answer this evening!