In fact their first matches with full FIFA recognition were the Arab Cup 2009 qualifying matches in Yemen in December 2006.

The country's football association was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 1979, and underwent a major transformation in 1984, when the clubs of the three islands met at a general assembly to elect a President and an executive committee of nine members.

But despite having the best intentions, the Comorian government has struggled to help the development of football in the country. Indeed, for a number of years now, it has been thanks to the work of Salim Tourki (elected in 1997 and re-elected in 2000 and 2004) that Comoros' footballing infrastructure and a certain level of competitiveness have been maintained.

On the Nations Cup front they have never taken part in the Continental show piece with their first attempt at qualifying for the 2010 event failing miserably when they lost 10-2 to Madagascar on aggregate in the preliminary round.

Now that they are in the qualifying groups they are still not likely to make it and will probably fall to the way side.