Comoros coach Hubert Velud says the decision to leave out captain Youssouf M’Changama and Faïz Selemani from his squad was part of a deliberate plan to introduce a new generation of players.
The Coelacanths arrived in Yaoundé on Sunday as they prepare to face Cameroon in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Garoua on 24 September.
Fourteen of the 24 players called up were present on arrival, with Velud hoping to have the full squad available for Monday’s training session.
The Comoros Football Federation had previously announced four injury-related withdrawals, with Rafiki Saïd, Myziane Maolida, Ismaël Boura and Ramaine Daou among those ruled out.
However, the omission of M’Changama and Selemani has attracted attention, with Velud confirming that their absence was not related to injury.
“I was asked to put a new generation in place. It was intentional; it was the federation’s policy,” Velud said in an interview with Nordine L’Instant N.
“I either accepted it or I didn’t. I accepted the challenge.”
Comoros will face Cameroon at Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua on 24 September, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time.
They will then host Namibia at Stade Maluzini in Moroni on 29 September as they continue their qualifying campaign.
