Comoros forward Myziane Maolida could not have wished for a better start to his international career: two wins from two home games in front of jubilant fans as well as two goals scored, including a gem in the team’s shock 1-0 win over Ghana on matchday two of CAF qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ on 21 November.

Those performances further convinced the Paris-born player that he had been right to accept the invitation of coach Stefano Cusin to play for his motherland, having previously represented France 43 times from U-16 to U-20 level.

“To be honest, a few years or even a few months ago, I couldn’t have imagined playing World Cup qualifiers for my homeland,” the front man told FIFA. “Being at the beginning of a new cycle played a role in my decision, as I wanted to be part of the revival.”A few weeks ago, the 24-year-old, who is a product of the Lyon youth academy, set foot on Comoros soil for the first time. Maolida recalls the moment fondly, saying: “It gave me a special feeling to see where my parents grew up and to return to the land of my roots. It really was a great experience, from both a personal and sporting perspective, thanks to the respectful and modest players and staff, who made my integration seamless.”