Sparta Rotterdam right-back Said Bakari is a 50-time Comorian international and was present when the small island nation made its Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2021.
Four years on from their second-round exit, Flashscore's Paul Winters sat down with Bakari at his club's training complex, Nieuw Terbregge, for an exclusive interview ahead of the highly anticipated tournament in Morocco.
Paul: Hi Saïd, how are you doing?
"I’m doing well. I can’t wait for the AFCON to begin. We’ve known for a while that we’re qualified, and we had some games after that – it’s getting closer, so we’re waiting to get going."
It's going to be your second AFCON. Do you remember how the first one felt?
"It was a special moment. We were very proud to play there. Only, at that moment, COVID was still around. We couldn’t truly enjoy the tournament and the atmosphere as players because we always had to keep our distance.
"It was terrific, though, also for me. It was a great experience for me – it’s the highest international level of African football, and you play against World Cup teams. It’s a high level, and it was a nice experience for us."
You called your first AFCON with Comoros a dream. How would you describe your second?
"Confirmation. It’s the next step. The first time is a dream, the second time is to show that it wasn’t luck. We’re lucky to do this, but it didn’t come out of nowhere. This time, we showed again that we didn’t just come out of nowhere.
"The second time is the moment to show who we are and why we’re here. Especially against Morocco, one of the best teams of the tournament, in their home."
How are you approaching the opening game against Morocco?
"We are going to try to enjoy the moment. We shouldn’t put pressure on ourselves or overthink; we just have to play. Personally, I’m someone who loves the crowd or playing against the crowd.
"We are going to enjoy it. We are mostly guys from the streets of France, from Paris, Marseille, and other parts of the country. We love these moments, so we are going to play without pressure and with joy."
Not many people are familiar with Comoros. How would you describe the team?
"We are a technical team. We’re not as big and strong as the other African teams. We are the smallest guys on the pitch, but we are very technical. Tactically, we are sound as well.
"We play as a team – we don’t have big names or one big-name player we rely on. Everyone needs to fight for one another, from the goalkeeper to the striker. We are a real team and need to play like one; otherwise, it gets difficult for us."
How would you describe your own role as one of the most-capped players in the country’s history?
"I’m a hard worker. I wouldn’t call myself an example, but I’m someone who always works hard. When you show that, you instil in young players the mindset that you need to work hard to get results.
"My role is also to serve as a bridge between the young and older generations. I’m a little in between the two – there are players older than me, and I have a good connection with the younger guys. Some find it easier to tell me something rather than the staff or older players; I forward it in that case. But I’m also there for the atmosphere. I find it important to maintain a good bond and to keep having fun."
As one of the most-capped players and in your eighth year as a Comoran international, do you feel a certain responsibility and leadership for the country?
"You’re fully in the picture. What you can show, do, or say will have an impact. Maybe not in the country per se, but the people will follow what you do or say. I know that I’m not a nobody in the country – I need to take into account what I do on social media, for instance, as it also affects my family.
"We are personalities in the country. We can’t just go everywhere; we are famous there. We don’t need that, but that’s football. We’re the personalities people follow, who young people take as examples, who people look at as ‘big boys’, so to speak."
How was it to be back in Moroni after two years?
"Crazy. We weren’t there for two years, but now was the moment to return. It wasn’t like the first time, but it was crazy. There were a lot of people, all the way from the airport to the hotel, during the practice sessions, during the game…
"That whole week was just about football. It was beautiful to see, they always wait for us. We were away for the entire qualifying phase; we played all our games away from home. We didn’t get the moment to celebrate with each other, but this was the moment."
You’re in a group with Morocco, Mali and Zambia. What do you think of the group?
"It’s one of, if not the hardest, groups in the tournament. Mali have a very good team that reached the quarter-finals last time, everyone knows Morocco and their 17-game win streak, and Zambia are former AFCON champions.
"We’re a small team, the smallest team, actually. It’s a tough group, but everyone can beat anyone nowadays. We’re a good team, so it won't be easy for them either. We’re going for three wins."
Do other small nations, such as Curacao, inspire you after their World Cup qualification?
"Absolutely. You need to believe and go full throttle. You have Curacao and Cape Verde now, you had Iceland a while ago at the Euros – you need to believe in yourself and in your team. Anything can happen. You can’t just beat Argentina, you have to take it step by step."
How would you describe the impact of coach Stefano Cusin?
"He’s a defensively disciplined coach. He’s Italian, and they’re very disciplined with their defensive tasks. He changed the way we play on the counter – we’re playing a different formation, which allows us to go forward quicker. When he arrived, he thought we played well, but didn’t go forward fast enough."
How is he with you as a group?
"Good. New players have come and they’re playing their game, that immediately went well. The first results were good as well. He was a good fit in our group – we’re quicker going forward and keep the ball well. We’re improving defensively as well."
What do you notice about the way Cusine experiences AFCON with Comoros?
"He’s ambitious. It’s a good moment for him, too. He came and immediately qualified for AFCON, and almost did the same with the World Cup. He’s the same as us – he can’t wait to experience AFCON."
The team is mainly built out of guys from countries like France. What do you notice about the local guys who get into the side?
"We have good players. The local guys sometimes join our team. Tactically, the league isn’t very good, but the players keep improving. In a couple of years, more and more players will join the national team. Some guys joined us for AFCON. They’re technically very good. Technically, they’re not the best yet, but they keep on improving."
Do you feel the growth of the sport in the country?
"Absolutely. It’s not professional yet, but they’re trying to improve it because local players can bring something to the table. There are tournaments for local players in Africa, which makes more people want to become professional football players.
"They see that you can play football abroad in Africa, too. We have guys playing in places like Mauritania, Namibia and Botswana. They know that they go further than Comoros, where they’re building facilities and trying to improve things."
How did you experience the building of the squad?
"When I joined the team, they were already very good. They’d been together for a few years already. They played a different style of football than we do now. We have a lot of young players now who play in the first or second divisions in France. Back then, guys mostly played third-level football, and it was harder to win.
"More players from higher levels joined the team, and we grew confidence – we’re not a team that just sits at the back anymore. We improved step by step. The young players from French academies are coming in quicker than before – guys aged 16 or 17 join us now."
What’s your ultimate goal at AFCON?
"Winning. To me, it’s possible. I go there with the ambition of winning. If you don’t believe in yourself, who’s there to believe in you? We go there to win and to get as deep into the tournament as possible. Everyone’s won something for the first time."
Describe Comoros in one word.
"Love. It’s a country with a lot of love for everyone. Everyone is welcome there; they love foreigners. There’s so much fun there; people are always smiling. It’s a poor country, but it’s a country with love."
