Comoros’ national football team, nicknamed “Les Cœlacanthes,” is currently competing in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The nickname comes from the coelacanth, a 410‑million‑year‑old fish that has become a symbol of biodiversity, national pride, and identity in Comoros. Once thought extinct, the coelacanth was rediscovered off South Africa in 1938 and later in Comoros in 1952, rewriting biology textbooks and placing the small island nation at the center of a major scientific discovery. Today, Comoros is one of the few known habitats for the species, and the coelacanth is deeply ingrained in the country’s culture; the national football team, basketball team, and individual athletes are all referred to as the coelacanths.
According to Comoros Minister of Environment Abubakar Ben Mahmoud, the coelacanth is an integral part of the nation’s history and heritage, and efforts are underway to preserve it and the surrounding ocean. In collaboration with Nekton and WILDTRUST, the government recently completed the country’s first systematic ocean exploration, documenting previously unknown marine habitats and establishing a research program dedicated to the coelacanth. The mission, co‑led by Dr. Nadjim Ahmed Mohamed of the University of the Comoros, aims to study and protect the species, which is featured on the national football team’s jersey.
The resilience of the coelacanth is seen as a reflection of Comoros’ own trajectory: a small nation striving to make a significant impact in science and sport despite its limited population. Team manager Hamada Jambay draws parallels between the fish’s survival and the squad’s determination to succeed in the AFCON tournament. After a difficult start against Morocco, Les Cœlacanthes hope to draw inspiration from the coelacanth’s history of survival as they face upcoming challenges.
The conservation of the coelacanth and the exploration of Comoros’ ocean are crucial steps toward protecting the country’s rich marine biodiversity. As the national football team continues its AFCON campaign, the government and research institutions are working to ensure the long‑term preservation of the coelacanth and its habitat, recognizing the species’ importance to the nation’s heritage and identity.
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