Niger national football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Niger women's national football team.
Niger
Nickname(s)Ménas
AssociationNigerien Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachJean-Michel Cavalli
CaptainSouleymane Sacko
Most capsKassaly Daouda (82)
Top scorerMoussa Maâzou (13)
Home stadiumStade Seyni Kountché
FIFA codeNIG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 119 Decrease 2 (16 September 2021)[1]
Highest68 (November 1994)
Lowest196 (August 2002)
First international
 Niger 2–2 Chad 
(Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; 25 December 1961)
Biggest win
 Niger 7–1 Mauritania 
(Niamey, Niger; 12 October 1990)
Biggest defeat
 Congo 10–0 Niger Niger
(Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; 27 December 1961)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2012)
Best resultGroup stage (2012, 2013)

The Niger national football team[3][4] represents Niger in international football through the Nigerien Football Federation, a member of Confederation of African Football (CAF). Niger plays in the colors of the flag of Niger, white, green and orange. Their nickname comes from the Dama gazelle, native to Niger, the Hausa name of which is Meyna or Ménas[5] The Dama appears on their badge in the colors of the national flag. [6][7]

History[]

Although one of the weaker sides in the strong West Africa region, Niger has produced a couple of noteworthy runs in qualifying tournaments.

One of their best performances was in the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in which Niger eliminated Somalia and Togo on the away goals rule, but were beaten by Algeria in the third round where only eight teams were left. Notable players in this run included Jacques Komlan, Hassane Adamou and Moussa Kanfideni.

In 1990, they set a record by thrashing Mauritania 7–1 in continental qualifiers, the highest positive score margin for the Mena.

In the 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers, Niger won all their home games (including a win over Guinea) to finish on nine points, just three short of qualification.

The Niger squad is also plagued by financial concerns, which have caused them to withdraw from international tournaments on more than one occasion. The Nigerien Football Federation would have turned to fundraising to pay for their trip to the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, had they qualified.[8]

On 10 October 2010, Niger earned a shock 1–0 win over Egypt at home in the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification.

Despite a failed run for AFCON 2010, Niger hosted and won the UEMOA Tournament in November 2010, and followed up with their first ever qualification for the African Nations Championship in February 2011.[9]

After home wins over South Africa and Sierra Leone, on 8 October 2011 Niger qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in its history, despite losing 3–0 in Egypt.[10][11] Niger, South Africa and Sierra Leone all ended with nine points, but Niger qualified thanks to their superior head-to-head record against their rivals.

At the 2012 African Cup of Nations, Niger was placed in Group C alongside co-hosts Gabon, Tunisia and Morocco. In their opening match, Niger lost 2–0 to Gabon, while against Tunisia in Libreville, Niger trailed 1–0 on an early goal from Youssef Msakni in which he dribbled his way through for a fine goal after just four minutes. William N'Gounou, however, then made history by scoring Niger's first ever goal at the African Cup of Nations. A 1–1 draw looked likely, but Issam Jemâa's goal would eliminate Niger from the tournament. In the final match, Niger faced Morocco in a match featuring two sides already eliminated from the tournament. Younès Belhanda scored on an assist from Marouane Chamakh just 11 minutes from time to give Morocco a 1–0 victory.[12]

Later in 2012, Niger repeated its success in African Nations Cup qualifiers by beating Guinea in a two-legged series to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea won the first match 1–0, but Niger won 2–0 in the second leg. Goalscorers Mohamed Chikoto and Issoufou Boubacar had sent Niger to another African Cup of Nations tournament.[13]

In their first match at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Niger lost 1–0 to Mali at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Mali captain Seydou Keita handed his nation the hard-fought victory five minutes before the end of the encounter. Niger then earned their first point ever at the African Cup of nations after holding DR Congo to a 0–0 draw. In the third match, Ghana outclassed Niger 3–0 to reach the quarter-finals as Group B winners.[14] Niger finished bottom of the group.

On 22 May 2014, Niger played a friendly match against Ukraine, marking the first ever match against a European nation. Oumarou Bale scored in the 56th minute, cancelling out a 20th-minute goal from Ivan Ordets before Ukraine won on a goal from Taras Stepanenko as the match finished 2–1.[15][16]

Results and fixtures[]

Main article: Niger national football team results (2020–present)

  Win   Draw   Loss

2020[]

13 November 2021 AFCONQ Niger  1–0  Ethiopia Niamey, Niger
17:00 UTC+1
  • Goal 73'
 Report Stadium: Stade Général Seyni Kountché
Referee: Hassen Corneh (Liberia)
17 November 2021 AFCONQ Ethiopia  3–0  Niger Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
16:00 UTC+3
  • Gebremichael Goal 13'
  • Goal 43'
  • Kebede Goal 70'
 Report Stadium: Bahir Dar Stadium
Referee: Daudu Williams (Sierra Leone)

2021[]

17 January 2020 CHAN Libya  0–0  Niger Japoma Stadium, Douala
17:00 Report Referee: Daniel Laryea (Ghana)
21 January 2020 CHAN Congo  1–1  Niger Japoma Stadium, Douala
20:00
  • Goal 35'
 Report
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
25 January 2020 CHAN Niger  1–2  DR Congo Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé
20:00
Report
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
26 March 2021 AFCONQ Niger  0–3  Ivory Coast Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0 Report
  • Aurier Goal 25'
  • Gradel Goal 34'
  • Kanon Goal 60'
 Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)
30 March 2021 AFCONQ Madagascar  0–0  Niger Toamasina, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Barikadimy Stadium
Referee: Eric Otogo-Castane (Gabon)
5 June Friendly Niger  0–2  Gambia Manavgat, Turkey
18:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen (Turkey)
7 June Friendly Togo  Cancelled  Niger Turkey
Report
9 June Friendly Niger  0–1  Congo Manavgat, Turkey
19:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
11 June Friendly Guinea  2–1  Niger Manavgat, Turkey
17:00 UTC+3
Report
  • Adebayor Goal 29'
 Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
2 September 2022 World Cup qualification Niger  0–2  Burkina Faso Marrakesch, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Attendance: 0
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
6 September 2022 World Cup qualification Djibouti  2–4  Niger Rabat, Morocco
14:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
5 October 2022 World Cup qualification Algeria  v  Niger
9 October 2022 World Cup qualification Niger  v  Algeria
10 November 2022 World Cup qualification Burkina Faso  v  Niger
13 November 2022 World Cup qualification Niger  v  Djibouti

Players[]

Current squad[]

  • The following players were called up for the friendlies.
  • Match date: 5, 9 and 11 June 2021
  • Opposition:  Gambia,  Congo and  Guinea
  • Caps and goals are correct as of: 11 June 2021, after the match against  Guinea
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK (1990-02-12) 12 February 1990 (age 31) 1 0
16 1GK Kassaly Daouda (1983-08-19) 19 August 1983 (age 38) 82 0 Nigeria Katsina United
21 1GK Naim Van Attenhoven (2003-01-31) 31 January 2003 (age 18) 0 0 Belgium Anderlecht
3 2DF (1995-11-26) 26 November 1995 (age 25) 6 0 Niger AS GNN
13 2DF Zakariya Souleymane (1994-12-29) 29 December 1994 (age 26) 2 0 France Lorient
15 2DF (1993-03-26) 26 March 1993 (age 28) 34 0 Niger AS FAN
19 2DF Hervé Lybohy (1983-07-24) 24 July 1983 (age 38) 10 0 France US Orléans
5 3MF Soune Soungole (1995-02-26) 26 February 1995 (age 26) 5 0 Saudi Arabia Bisha FC
6 3MF (1993-02-16) 16 February 1993 (age 28) 37 3 Ivory Coast San Pédro
8 3MF Amadou Sabo (2000-05-30) 30 May 2000 (age 21) 2 0 Tunisia CA Bizertin
10 3MF Victorien Adebayor (1996-11-12) 12 November 1996 (age 24) 33 10 Ghana Legon Cities FC
12 3MF Abdoul Moumouni Darankoum (2002-08-07) 7 August 2002 (age 19) 6 0 Moldova Sheriff Tiraspol
18 3MF Ousmane Diabaté (1994-07-09) 9 July 1994 (age 27) 18 0 Iraq Naft Maysan
20 3MF Amadou Moutari (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 27) 36 1 Saudi Arabia Al-Fayha FC
22 3MF Yussif Moussa (1998-09-04) 4 September 1998 (age 23) 12 1 Israel Bnei Yehuda
23 3MF Abdoul Madjid Moumouni (1994-05-10) 10 May 1994 (age 27) 9 0 Iraq Al-Minaa
2 4FW (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 21) 3 0 Niger AS FAN
7 4FW (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 25) 9 2 Niger Sahel
9 4FW Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim (1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 (age 25) 9 1 Niger Nigelec
11 4FW Mohamed Wonkoye (1994-05-19) 19 May 1994 (age 27) 30 3 Guinea Horoya
14 4FW Seybou Koita (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 (age 27) 6 0 France Red Star
17 4FW Kairou Amoustapha (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 20) 1 0 United States Loudoun United

Recent call-ups[]

The following players have been called up for Niger in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Moussa Alzouma (1982-09-30) 30 September 1982 (age 38) 8 0 Niger AS GNN vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
GK (1992-04-04) 4 April 1992 (age 29) 0 0 Niger AS SONIDEP vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
DF Abdoul Garba (1991-12-23) 23 December 1991 (age 29) 14 0 Niger AS Douanes vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
DF Yacouba Diori (1997-09-08) 8 September 1997 (age 24) 10 0 Spain CD Castellón vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
DF Abdoul Razak Seyni (1990-01-01) 1 January 1990 (age 31) 14 1 Niger SONIDEP vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
DF Amadou Harouna (1994-03-25) 25 March 1994 (age 27) 6 0 Niger Nigelec vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
MF Boubacar Talatou (1987-12-03) 3 December 1987 (age 33) 24 0 Mali Djoliba AC vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
MF Ali Mohamed (1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 (age 25) 35 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa FC vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
MF (1995-12-29) 29 December 1995 (age 25) 1 0 Luxembourg Swift Hesperange vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
MF Issah Salou (1999-02-04) 4 February 1999 (age 22) 3 0 Denmark Randers vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
FW Moussa Maâzou (1988-08-25) 25 August 1988 (age 33) 54 13 Luxembourg Jeunesse Esch vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
FW Boubacar Haïnikoye (1998-10-07) 7 October 1998 (age 22) 7 1 Algeria NC Magra vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
FW Idrissa Halidou (1982-07-03) 3 July 1982 (age 39) 15 3 Niger AS GNN vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 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 11 June 2021
Players in bold are still active with Niger.

List of coaches[]

Competitive record[]

World Cup record[]

African Nations Championship record[]

African Nations Championship
Appearances: 3
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not qualify
Sudan 2011 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 1 1 3 3
South Africa 2014 Did not qualify
Rwanda 2016 Group stage 16th 3 0 1 2 3 11
Morocco 2018 Did not qualify
Cameroon 2020 Group stage 12th 3 0 2 1 2 3
Algeria 2022 To be determined
Total Quarter-finals 3/6 10 2 4 4 8 17

Head-to-head record[]

As of 19 November 2019
Opponent Games Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Differential
 Algeria 5 1 0 4 1 14 −13
 Angola 2 0 0 2 2 5 −3
 Benin 15 3 5 7 17 24 −7
 Botswana 3 2 1 0 4 2 +2
 Burundi 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2
 Burkina Faso 15 3 5 7 13 22 −9
 Cameroon 3 0 1 2 0 4 −4
 Central African Republic 2 0 1 1 3 5 −2
 Chad 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
 Congo 4 0 1 3 3 10 −7
 DR Congo 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
 Ivory Coast 13 0 2 11 9 29 −20
 Egypt 6 1 1 4 2 16 −14
 Equatorial Guinea 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
 Ethiopia 3 1 0 2 3 4 −1
 Eswatini 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1
 Gabon 6 1 0 5 5 13 −8
 Gambia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
 Ghana 11 0 1 10 4 38 −34
 Guinea 7 3 0 4 8 11 −3
 Lesotho 2 1 0 1 3 3 0
 Liberia 7 3 1 3 7 10 −3
 Libya 4 0 3 1 4 8 −4
 Madagascar 1 0 0 1 2 6 −4
 Mali 8 1 2 5 4 10 −6
 Mauritania 5 3 2 0 10 3 +7
 Morocco 7 1 0 6 2 16 −14
 Namibia 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1
 Nigeria 3 0 0 3 1 7 −6
 Senegal 5 1 1 3 3 6 −3
 Sierra Leone 6 3 0 3 11 15 −4
 Somalia 2 0 2 0 1 1 0
 South Africa 2 1 0 1 2 3 −1
 Togo 9 3 3 3 13 14 −1
 Tunisia 3 0 0 3 2 4 −2
 Uganda 5 2 1 2 6 6 0
 Ukraine 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1
 United Arab Emirates 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4
38 Countries 174 37 38 99 156 320 −164

References[]

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  3. ^ Orange 2012 Afcon qualifiers :130 Million FCFA for the Menas Archived 2011-11-09 at the Wayback Machine. 22/05/2011 StarAfrica sports.
  4. ^ Menas to test Pharaohs form. Confederation of African Football. 10-09-2010
  5. ^ Dama Gazelle Nanger dama. Sahara Conservation Fund, 2007, 2011.
  6. ^ http://www.afrik-foot.com/can-2019-la-liste-du-niger-contre-l-egypte-sans-maazou
  7. ^ "Niger team of 2019". national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams.
  8. ^ "Project MENA is dedicated to assisting MENA, the Niger national soccer team. The project aimed to raise enough money to send the team to compete for the 2010 African Cup in Angola". Archived from the original on 2008-04-26.
  9. ^ CHAN 2011 : Un Niger héroïque mais éliminé par le Soudan – Football/CHAN 2011 – RFI 2011-02-19
  10. ^ "Niger in historic qualification despite Cairo loss". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  11. ^ Fixtures, results and tables for the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. BBC Sport.
  12. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16803984
  13. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2012-10-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=263428
  15. ^ http://shakhtar.com/en/news/31806
  16. ^ http://www.uefa.com/friendlies/season=2014/matches/round=2000374/match=2014301/index.html
  17. ^ "Martial named Niger coach". BBC News. 26 November 2002.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""