Congo national football team

Congo
Nickname(s)	Diables Rouges ; (Red Devils)
Association	Congolese Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coach	Paul Put
Captain	Amour Loussoukou
Most caps	Jonas Bahamboula (56)
Top scorer	Thievy Bifouma (15)
Home stadium	Stade Municipal de Kintélé
FIFA code	CGO
FIFA ranking
Current	97 (23 December 2021)
Highest	42 (September 2015)
Lowest	144 (September 2011)
First international
	French Congo 5–1 Cameroon ; (Middle Congo; 1954)
Biggest win
	Congo 11–0 Chad ; (Congo; 28 March 1964) ; Congo 11–0 São Tomé and Príncipe ; (Gabon; 7 July 1976)
Biggest defeat
	Malagasy Republic 8–1 Congo ; (Madagascar; 18 April 1960)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	7 (first in 1968)
Best result	Champions, 1972

The Congo national football team (French: Équipe de football du Congo) represents the Republic of the Congo in men's association football and is governed by the Congolese Football Federation. They have never qualified for the World Cup, but did win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1972. They also won the All-Africa Games football tournament in 1965. The team is also a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History[]

The Congo national football team made its first ever appearance in February 1960 in a friendly against the Ivory Coast which they lost 4–2.^[4] On 13 April, they defeated Reunion 4–1 in their first game to advance to the quarter-finals. In their quarter-final on 15 April, they defeated the Ivory Coast 3–2. On 17 April, they lost 5–4 to Cameroon and were beaten 8–1 by the host Madagascar in the third-place play-off on 19 April.

In April 1963 they entered another L'Amitié competition, this time in Senegal, and were drawn in a group with Tunisia, the Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritania. They lost their opener 2–0 to Tunisia on 13 April but beat the Ivory Coast 3–2 the next day. On 15 April they beat their neighbour Congo Kinshasa 2–1, and then Mauritania 11–0 two days later, but did not advance to the next round.

In July 1965 the Congo held the 1965 All-Africa Games and were drawn in a group with Mali, Uganda and Togo. They drew 1–1 with Mali on 18 July and beat Uganda 2–1 the next day. On 21 July they drew 1–1 against Togo but advanced through to the semi-finals, where they beat the Ivory Coast 1–0 on 23 July. On 25 July the Congo drew 0–0 versus Mali in the final, but won the tournament by having won ten corners in the final compared to Mali's one.

On 11 January 1967 the Congo played their first non-African opposition, defeating Romania 1–0 in a home friendly. On 19 February 1967 the Congo travelled to Tunisia for their first ever African Cup of Nations qualifier, drawing 1–1. On 2 August 1967 they hosted a qualifier against Cameroon, and defeated them 2–1 to top their qualifying group and advance to their first finals.

The finals were held in Ethiopia in January 1968 and the Congo were drawn in a group with their neighbour Zaire, Senegal and Ghana. They lost the opener to Zaire 3–0 on 12 January and two days later lost 2–1 to Senegal. On 16 January the Congo were defeated 3–1 by Ghana and were knocked out.

The Congo hosted a friendly against Romania for the second successive year on 16 June 1968 and won 4–2. On 30 July 1968 they played their first ever South American opposition, losing a home friendly 2–0 to Brazil.

In 1972, the Congo won their only African Cup of Nations title. Congo defeated host Cameroon in the semi-final 1–0 before beating Mali 3–2 to claim the championship. On that squad was arguably Congo's most famous player, François M'Pelé, who starred for PSG in the 1970s.

In qualification for the 1998 World Cup, the Congo came within a win of qualifying for the final tournament. However, after home wins over Zambia, DR Congo and South Africa, Congo lost their final match 1–0 away to South Africa and was eliminated.

Results and fixtures[]

2021[]

26 March 2021 AFCONQ	Congo	0–0	Senegal	Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1		Report		Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)

30 March 2021 AFCONQ	Guinea-Bissau	3–0	Congo	Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
16:00 UTC+0	Piqueti 45+1' Mendy 73' Jorginho 80'	Report		Stadium: Estádio 24 de Setembro Referee: Kouassi Attiogbe (Togo)

9 June Friendly	Niger	0–1	Congo	Manavgat, Turkey
19:00 UTC+1		Report	Mbenza 32'	Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex

2 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group H

Namibia

1–1

Congo

7 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group H

Congo

1–3

Senegal

9 October 2022 World Cup qualification

Togo

1–1

Congo

12 October 2022 World Cup qualification	Congo	1–2	Togo	Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1	Mbenza 71'	Report	Placca Fessou 43' Denkey 77'	Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)

11 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification	Congo	1–1	Namibia	Brazzaville, Congo
	Mbenza 54'	Report	Shalulile 42'	Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)

14 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification	Senegal	2–0	Congo	Thiès, Senegal
21:00 UTC+2	Sarr 14', 24'	Report		Stadium: Stade Lat-Dior Referee: Fabricio Duarte (Cape Verde)

Coaches[]

(1962–1964)
Vasily Sokolov (1964–1965)
(1965–1970)
(1970–1973)
(1973–1974)
Cicerone Manolache (1974–1976)
Yvon Goujon (1986–1987)
(1992–1993)
(1997–1998)
(1998–1999)
(1999–2000)
Camille Ngakosso (2000)
Gaston Tchangana (2001)
(2001)
Eugen Moldovan (2001–2002)
(2002)
Claude Andrey (2002–2003)
Tahseen Jabbary (2002–2003)
(2003)
Michel Hidalgo (2004)
Christian Létard (2004–2005)
Gaston Tchangana (2005–2006)
Noël Tosi (2006–2007)
Gaston Tchangana (2007–2008)
Ivica Todorov (2008–2010)
Robert Corfou (2010–2011)
Camille Ngakosso (2011)
Jean-Guy Wallemme (2011–2012)
Kamel Djabour (2012–13)
Claude Le Roy (2013–15)
Pierre Lechantre (2016)
Barthélémy Ngatsono (2016–17)
Sébastien Migné (2017–18)
Valdo Filho (2018–2021)
Paul Put (2021–)

Players[]

Current squad[]

The following players were called-up for the World Cup qualifying matches against Namibia and Senegal on 11 and 14 November 2021.^[5]

Caps and goals are correct as of 12 October 2021, after the match against Togo.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Christoffer Mafoumbi	(1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 (age 27)	31	0	Mosta
1GK	Pavelh Ndzila	(1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 27)	11	0	Étoile du Congo
1GK		(1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 22)	0	0	Diables Noirs

2DF		(1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 29)	18	0	Vita Club
2DF		(1993-09-09) 9 September 1993 (age 28)	16	2	Diables Noirs
2DF	Ravy Tsouka	(1994-12-23) 23 December 1994 (age 27)	11	0	Helsingborgs IF
2DF		(2001-10-23) 23 October 2001 (age 20)	5	1	Otohô
2DF	Bradley Mazikou	(1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 (age 25)	4	0	CSKA Sofia
2DF	Morgan Poaty	(1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 24)	1	0	Seraing
2DF		(2002-12-03) 3 December 2002 (age 19)	0	0	Diables Noirs

3MF	Durel Avounou	(1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 (age 24)	18	0	Le Mans
3MF		(1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 (age 22)	14	0	Diables Noirs
3MF	Gaius Makouta	(1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 24)	10	1	Beroe
3MF	Antoine Makoumbou	(1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 23)	3	0	Maribor
3MF	Nolan Mbemba	(1995-02-19) 19 February 1995 (age 26)	2	0	Le Havre

4FW	Prestige Mboungou	(2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 21)	13	0	Abha
4FW	Guy Mbenza	(2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 21)	8	1	Wydad Casablanca
4FW	Dylan Saint-Louis	(1995-04-26) 26 April 1995 (age 26)	7	1	Hatayspor
4FW	Mavis Tchibota	(1996-05-07) 7 May 1996 (age 25)	7	0	Ludogorets Razgrad
4FW	Béni Makouana	(1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 (age 22)	4	0	Montpellier
4FW	Yann Mabella	(1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 (age 25)	2	0	Racing Union Luxembourg
4FW		(1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 22)	0	0	Otohô
4FW		(1998-02-08) 8 February 1998 (age 23)	0	0	Vita Club

Recent call-ups[]

The following players were called up for Congo in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK		(1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 (age 22)	0	0	Trepça '89	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
GK		(2001-01-28) 28 January 2001 (age 20)	0	0	Reims	v. Niger; 9 June 2021

DF	Erving Botaka	(1998-10-05) 5 October 1998 (age 23)	0	0	Ufa	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
DF	Raddy Ovouka	(1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 (age 22)	2	0	Hearts of Oak	v. Senegal; 7 September 2021
DF	Baron Kibamba	(1998-03-23) 23 March 1998 (age 23)	12	0	Sevilla	v. Senegal; 7 September 2021
DF	Béranger Itoua	(1992-05-09) 9 May 1992 (age 29)	15	0	Sohar	v. Niger; 9 June 2021

MF		(1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 (age 24)	5	0	Diables Noirs	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
MF		(1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 22)	5	0	Otohô	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
MF	Scott Bitsindou	(1996-05-11) 11 May 1996 (age 25)	0	0	Lierse Kempenzonen	v. Senegal; 7 September 2021
MF	Christopher Missilou	(1992-07-18) 18 July 1992 (age 29)	3	0	Newport County	v. Senegal; 7 September 2021
MF	Durel Avounou	(1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 (age 24)	15	0	Le Mans	v. Namibia; 2 September 2021^PRE

FW	Merveil Ndockyt	(1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 (age 25)	21	1	NK Osijek	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
FW	Yhoan Andzouana	(1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 (age 25)	4	0	DAC 1904	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
FW	Silvère Ganvoula M'boussy	(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 25)	16	3	VfL Bochum	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
FW	Dylan Bahamboula	(1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 26)	11	0	Oldham Athletic	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
FW	Lorry Nkolo	(1991-06-22) 22 June 1991 (age 30)	10	4	Diables Noirs	v. Namibia; 11 November 2021^PRE
FW	Prince Ibara	(1996-02-07) 7 February 1996 (age 25)	15	4	Bengaluru	v. Senegal; 7 September 2021
FW	Kévin Koubemba	(1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 (age 28)	8	0	Sabah	v. Niger; 9 June 2021
^DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. ^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. ^PRE Preliminary squad. ^RET Player has retired from international football. ^SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records[]

As of 30 January 2021^[6]

Players in bold are still active with Congo.

Most appearances
Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Jonas Bahamboula	56	13	1969–1982
2	Destin Makita	55	1	2001–2013
3	Delvin N'Dinga	54	1	2008–2019
4	Barel Mouko	51	1	2004–2018
5	Oscar Ewolo	44	2	2000–2013
6	Prince Oniangué	43	8	2008–2019
7	Magnoléké Bissiki	42	0	2012–present
8	Francis N'Ganga	41	3	2008–2017
9		38	0	1990–2001
10	Férébory Doré	37	10	2010–present
10	Fabrice Ondama	37	5	2006–2017

Top goalscorers
Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Thievy Bifouma	15	30	0.5	2014–present
2	Jonas Bahamboula	13	56	0.23	1969–1982
3	François M'Pelé	12	29	0.41	1971–1978
4	Paul Moukila	11	31	0.35	1970–1978
5	Anges Ngapy	10	33	0.3	1984–1993
5	Férébory Doré	10	37	0.27	2010–present
7	Jean-Jacques N'Domba	8	35	0.23	1974–1992
7	Prince Oniangué	8	43	0.19	2008–2019
9	Rolf-Christel Guié-Mien	5	25	0.2	1996–2008
9	Fabrice Ondama	5	37	0.14	2006–2017

Competition records[]

FIFA World Cup record[]

FIFA World Cup record									FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	Part of France								Part of France
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
Played as Congo-Brazzaville									Played as Congo-Brazzaville
1962	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
1966	Entry not accepted by FIFA								Entry not accepted by FIFA
Played as People's Republic of the Congo									Played as People's Republic of the Congo
1970	Did not enter								Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	3	2
1978	Did not qualify								4	1	1	2	10	5
1982	Did not enter								Did not enter
1986
1990
Played as Republic of the Congo									Played as Republic of the Congo
1994	Did not qualify								4	0	0	4	0	5
1998									8	4	2	2	8	6
2002									10	3	2	5	10	17
2006									12	4	2	6	12	15
2010									6	3	0	3	7	8
2014									8	4	3	1	13	4
2018									8	2	2	4	11	16
2022									6	0	3	3	5	10
2026	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/22							68	21	16	31	79	88

Africa Cup of Nations record[]

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of France
1959	Part of France
Played as Congo-Brazzaville
1962	Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965
1968	Group stage	7th	3	0	0	3	2	8
Played as People's Republic of the Congo
1970	Did not enter
1972	Winners	1st	5	3	1	1	9	5
1974	Fourth place	4th	5	2	1	2	7	10
1976	Did not qualify
1978	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	1	4
1980	Did not qualify
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990	Did not enter
Played as Republic of the Congo
1992	Quarter-finals	5th	3	0	2	1	2	3
1994	Did not qualify
1996
1998
2000	Group stage	11th	3	0	2	1	0	1
2002	Did not qualify
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015	Quarter-finals	5th	4	2	1	1	6	6
2017	Did not qualify
2019
2021
2023	To be determined
2025	To be determined
Total	1 Title	7/33	26	7	8	11	27	37

African Games record[]

Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.

African Games record
Year	Result	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA
1965	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1973	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1978	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1987	-	0	0	0	0	0	0
1991–present	See
Total	4/4	0	0	0	0	0	0

Achievements[]

CEMAC Cup:

1 Time Champions (2007)

UDEAC Championship:

1 Time Champions (1990)
2 Times Runners-up

Central African Games:

2 Times Runners-up

References[]

^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
^ World Football Elo Ratings: Congo
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
^ "Congo (Brazzaville) - List of International Matches". rsssf.com. Rec. Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
^ "La Liste de Paul Put". Twitter. @fecofootcg. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Congo-Brazzaville – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 March 2018.

External links[]

Official website

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.

[2] World Football Elo Ratings: Congo

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-3] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.

[4] "Congo (Brazzaville) - List of International Matches". rsssf.com. Rec. Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2014.

[5] "La Liste de Paul Put". Twitter. @fecofootcg. Retrieved 13 November 2021.

[6] Mamrud, Roberto. "Congo-Brazzaville – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 March 2018.

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v t Congo national football team
General	Congolese Football Federation History Managers Players Results 2020–present
Stadium	Stade Municipal de Kintélé
Africa Cup of Nations	1968 1972 1974 1978 1990 1992 2000 2015
Noted matches	1972 African Cup of Nations Final
Other FECOFOOT teams	U-20 U-17 Women's

v t National football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia Western Sahara
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
¹ Associate member of CAF but not member of FIFA

v t National sports teams of the Republic of the Congo
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