Congo national football team

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).

Not to be confused with DR Congo national football team.
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Congo women's national football team.
Congo
Nickname(s)Diables Rouges
(Red Devils)
AssociationCongolese Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coachPaul Put
CaptainAmour Loussoukou
Most capsJonas Bahamboula
Delvin N'Dinga (56)
Top scorerThievy Bifouma (15)
Home stadiumStade Municipal de Kintélé
FIFA codeCGO
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 98 1 (31 March 2022)[1]
Highest42 (September 2015)
Lowest144 (September 2011)
First international
French Congo 5–1 Cameroon
(Middle Congo; 1954)[2]
Biggest win
 Congo 11–0 Chad 
(Congo; 28 March 1964)
 Congo 11–0 São Tomé and Príncipe 
(Libreville, Gabon; 7 July 1976)
Biggest defeat
 Malagasy Republic 8–1 Congo 
(Antananarivo, Madagascar; 18 April 1960)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances7 (first in 1968)
Best resultChampions, 1972

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.[3] 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
Main article: Congo national football team results (2020–present)

2021
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
Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
2 September 2021 (2021-09-02) 2022 World Cup qualification Namibia  1–1  Congo
7 September 2021 (2021-09-07) 2022 World Cup qualification 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
Report
Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
11 November 2022 World Cup qualification Congo  1–1  Namibia Brazzaville, Congo
 Report
Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
14 November 2022 World Cup qualification Senegal  2–0  Congo Thiès, Senegal
21:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade Lat-Dior
Referee: Fabricio Duarte (Cape Verde)

2022
25 March Friendly Zambia  3–1  Congo Antalya, Turkey
 Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
29 March Friendly Congo  1–2  Sierra Leone Antalya, Turkey
 Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex

Coaches

Players

Current squad

The following players were called-up for the friendlies against Zambia and Sierra Leone on 25 and 29 March 2022.[4]

Caps and goals are correct as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Sierra Leone.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Christoffer Mafoumbi (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 35 0 Mosta
1GK Chancel Massa (1983-01-24) 24 January 1983 0 0 Étoile du Congo
1GK Darnet Joé Ombandza (1998-04-09) 9 April 1998 2 0 AS Otohô
2DF Francis Nzaba (2002-12-03) 3 December 2002 1 0 Diables Noirs
2DF Marvin Baudry (1990-01-26) 26 January 1990 34 3 Stade Lavallois
2DF Bradley Mazikou (1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 6 0 CSKA Sofia
2DF Varel Rozan (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 23 0 Vita Club
2DF Christopher Missilou (1992-07-18) 18 July 1992 4 0 Newport County
2DF Ryan Bidounga (1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 2 0 Lokomotiv Plovdiv
2DF Morgan Poaty (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 1 0 Seraing
3MF Durel Avounou (1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 20 0 Le Mans
3MF Antoine Makoumbou (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 8 0 Maribor
3MF Gaius Makouta (1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 13 1 Beroe
3MF Mavis Tchibota (1996-05-07) 7 May 1996 9 0 Maccabi Haifa
3MF Thievy Bifouma (1992-05-13) 13 May 1992 33 15 Bursaspor
3MF Harvy Ossété (1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 18 0 Diables Noirs
4FW Béni Makouana (1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 9 0 Montpellier
4FW Dylan Saint-Louis (1995-04-26) 26 April 1995 9 1 Hatayspor
4FW Elvia Ipamy (1994-09-27) 27 September 1994 3 0 TP Mazembe
4FW Prestige Mboungou (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 16 1 FK Metalac
4FW Guy Mbenza (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 14 4 Wydad Casablanca
4FW Prince Ibara (1996-02-07) 7 February 1996 17 4 Bengaluru
4FW Mons Bassouamina (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 1 0 Bastia-Borgo
4FW Silvère Ganvoula M'boussy (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 18 3 VfL Bochum

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 Pavelh Ndzila (1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 11 0 Étoile du Congo v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
GK Giscard Mavoungou (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 0 0 Diables Noirs v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
GK Marly Prince Koubassanath (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 0 0 Trepça '89 v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
GK Trey Vimalin (2001-01-28) 28 January 2001 0 0 Reims v.  Niger; 9 June 2021
DF Carof Bakoua (1993-09-09) 9 September 1993 16 2 Diables Noirs v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
DF Ravy Tsouka (1994-12-23) 23 December 1994 11 0 Helsingborgs IF v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
DF Prince Mouandza (2001-10-23) 23 October 2001 5 1 Otohô v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
DF Erving Botaka (1998-10-05) 5 October 1998 0 0 Ufa v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
DF Raddy Ovouka (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 2 0 Hearts of Oak v.  Senegal; 7 September 2021
DF Baron Kibamba (1998-03-23) 23 March 1998 12 0 Sevilla v.  Senegal; 7 September 2021
DF Béranger Itoua (1992-05-09) 9 May 1992 15 0 Sohar v.  Niger; 9 June 2021
MF Nolan Mbemba (1995-02-19) 19 February 1995 2 0 Le Havre v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
MF Prince Obongo (1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 5 0 Diables Noirs v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
MF Chandrel Massanga (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 5 0 Otohô v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
MF Scott Bitsindou (1996-05-11) 11 May 1996 0 0 Lierse Kempenzonen v.  Senegal; 7 September 2021
MF Durel Avounou (1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 15 0 Le Mans v.  Namibia; 2 September 2021PRE
FW Yann Mabella (1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 2 0 Racing Union Luxembourg v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
FW Wilfrid Nkaya (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 0 0 Otohô v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
FW Jacques Témopelé (1998-02-08) 8 February 1998 0 0 Vita Club v.  Senegal; 14 November 2021
FW Merveil Ndockyt (1996-07-20) 20 July 1996 21 1 NK Osijek v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
FW Yhoan Andzouana (1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 4 0 DAC 1904 v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
FW Dylan Bahamboula (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 11 0 Oldham Athletic v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
FW Lorry Nkolo (1991-06-22) 22 June 1991 10 4 Diables Noirs v.  Namibia; 11 November 2021PRE
FW Kévin Koubemba (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 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 29 March 2022[5]
Players in bold are still active with Congo.

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 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
1957Part of  France
1959
Played as  Congo-Brazzaville
1962Not 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
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
1965-000000
1973-000000
1978-000000
1987-000000
1991–present See Congo national under-23 football team
Total4/4000000

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
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. World Football Elo Ratings: Congo
  3. "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.
  4. "Liste des Joueurs". Facebook. Fédération Congolaise de Football Officiel.
  5. Mamrud, Roberto. "Congo-Brazzaville – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
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