DR Congo national football team

The Congolese Association Football Federation was founded in 1919 when the country was not independent. The team played their first game in 1948 as Belgian Congo against Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. The team recorded a 3–2 victory at home. DR Congo has been FIFA affiliated since 1962 and has been a member of CAF since 1963. The team's first official match was on 11 April 1963, against Mauritania in the L'Amitié Tournament played in Dakar, Senegal. DR Congo won the match 6–0.[3] The national team appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 1965.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo had its first international success at the 1968 African Cup of Nations held in Ethiopia, beating Ghana 1–0 in the final. The team's biggest ever win came on 22 November 1969 when they recorded a 10–1 home victory against Zambia. Although a handful of Congolese players were playing in Europe (particularly Belgium) during these years, foreign-based players were seldom recalled for international duty; a rare exception was Julien Kialunda who represented Zaire (as the country was by then known) at the 1972 African Cup of Nations while playing for Anderlecht.

The second continental title came at the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Leopards recorded a 2–1 victory against Guinea, another 2–1 victory against rivals Congo and a 4–1 victory against Mauritius. These results carried Zaire through to the semi-finals where they beat hosts Egypt 3–2. In the final, Zaire drew with Zambia 2–2. Therefore, the match was replayed two days later, where Zaire won the game 2–0. Zaire player Ndaye Mulamba was top scorer with nine goals, which remains a record for the tournament. After this, the team returned to Zaire on the Presidential plane, lent to them by Mobutu Sese Seko.

Zaire were the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in a World Cup, qualifying for the 1974 tournament in place of the 1970 participant Morocco, whom they defeated in the decisive qualifier 3–0 in Kinshasa.[4] Such was the desire to foster an identity of Zaire as a global player that Mobutu paid for advertising hoardings at the World Cup to display messages such as ‘Zaire-Peace’ and ‘Go to Zaire’.[5] At the tournament itself, Zaire did not manage to score any goals and lost all of its games, but gave credible performances against Scotland and Brazil. However, their 9–0 loss against Yugoslavia remains one of the worst World Cup defeats. A bizarre moment came in the match versus Brazil; facing a free-kick 25 yards out, defender Mwepu Ilunga, upon hearing the referee blow his whistle, ran out of the Zaire wall and kicked the ball upfield, for which he received a yellow card. This was voted the 17th greatest World Cup moment in a Channel 4 poll.[6] Ilunga has stated that he was quite aware of the rules and was hoping to convince the referee to send him off. The intended red card would have been a protest against his country's authorities, who were alleged to be depriving the players of their earnings.[7] Many contemporary commentators instead held it to be an example of African football's "naïvety and indiscipline".[8]

Zaire versus Brazil in the 1974 World Cup

Zaire versus Scotland in 1974 World Cup

After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 World Cup, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations after recording a draw and two losses in the group stage. Morocco went on to win the tournament. From 1978 to 1986, the country did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations, while not participating in qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1986 World Cup. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, Zaire finished last in their group despite having two draws.

From 1992 to 1996, Zaire, reached three consecutive African Cup of Nations quarter-finals. In 1992 and 1994, they were beaten by Nigeria, and in 1996 they were beaten by Ghana. In 1997, the country returned to its former name of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the national team was re-branded as the Simbas, a nickname that stuck for the next nine years.[9] DR Congo played their first game on 8 June 1997 in Pointe-Noire which ended in a 1–0 loss to the Republic of the Congo. At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo, led by Louis Watunda, surprisingly took third place, beating Cameroon in the quarter-finals and hosts Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties in their last match after scoring three late goals to tie the encounter 4–4.

At the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the team finished third in their group, and in 2002 were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Senegal. Then, in 2004, DR Congo were eliminated after three straight defeats in the group stages. In 2006, led by Claude Le Roy, having finished second in the group behind Cameroon, the Congolese were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Egypt 4–1.

DR Congo were drawn in group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, along with Libya, Namibia and Ethiopia. Before the last match day, the Congolese led the group, but they drew 1–1 with Libya in their final match while Namibia beat Ethiopia 3–2. This sent Namibia through to the Finals, while the Leopards were eliminated. DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. In 2009, DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations, a competition reserved to players in domestic leagues, a tournament they would again win in 2016. DR Congo reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa but were knocked out in the group stages after drawing all three matches.

In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo again drew all three group matches but this time finished second in the group behind Tunisia, and therefore advanced to the quarter-finals to play their rivals Republic of Congo, a match in which the Leopards came from two goals down to win 4–2. However, they were knocked out by the Ivory Coast 3–1 in the semi-finals. They ended up finishing third, beating Equatorial Guinea on penalties, after the third place match finished 0–0 in regulation time.

DR Congo under Ibengé improved radically and had an outstanding performance for many decades in a World Cup qualification. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, DR Congo was grouped with Libya, Tunisia and Guinea. DR Congo managed an outstanding performance, beating Libya and Guinea home and away, but missed the chance after losing 1–2 to eventual World Cup qualifier Tunisia in Tunis and drew 2–2 at home to the same opponent.

The following players were selected for the playoff matches against Morocco on 25 and 29 March 2022.[12]

Caps and goals as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Morocco.[13]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Joël Kiassumbua	(1992-04-06) 6 April 1992	19	0	Free agent
	1GK	Hervé Lomboto	(1989-09-27) 27 September 1989	6	0	Motema Pembe
	1GK	Lionel Mpasi	(1994-08-01) 1 August 1994	1	0	Rodez
	2DF	Chancel Mbemba	(1994-08-08) 8 August 1994	66	4	Porto
	2DF	Marcel Tisserand	(1993-01-10) 10 January 1993	34	0	Fenerbahçe
	2DF	Christian Luyindama	(1994-01-08) 8 January 1994	23	0	Galatasaray
	2DF	Ngonda Muzinga	(1994-12-31) 31 December 1994	21	0	Dijon
	2DF	Merveille Bokadi	(1996-05-21) 21 May 1996	20	1	Standard Liège
	2DF	Arthur Masuaku	(1993-11-07) 7 November 1993	11	1	West Ham United
	2DF	Dieumerci Amale Mukoko	(1998-10-17) 17 October 1998	11	0	Difaâ
	2DF	Jordan Ikoko	(1994-02-03) 3 February 1994	7	0	Ludogorets
	2DF	Chris Mavinga	(1991-05-26) 26 May 1991	5	0	Toronto
	2DF	Vital N'Simba	(1993-07-08) 8 July 1993	1	0	Clermont
	3MF	Neeskens Kebano	(1992-03-10) 10 March 1992	30	6	Fulham
	3MF	Paul-José M'Poku	(1992-04-19) 19 April 1992	22	6	Konyaspor
	3MF	Chadrac Akolo	(1995-04-01) 1 April 1995	18	2	Amiens
	3MF	Samuel Moutoussamy	(1996-08-12) 12 August 1996	13	0	Nantes
	3MF	Gaël Kakuta	(1991-06-21) 21 June 1991	13	2	Lens
	3MF	Edo Kayembe	(1998-08-03) 3 August 1998	9	0	Watford
	3MF	Samuel Bastien	(1996-11-26) 26 November 1996	6	0	Standard Liège
	3MF	Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu	(1994-03-22) 22 March 1994	2	0	Luton Town
	4FW	Yannick Bolasie	(1989-05-24) 24 May 1989	50	9	Çaykur Rizespor
	4FW	Dieumerci Mbokani	(1985-11-22) 22 November 1985	49	22	Kuwait SC
	4FW	Cédric Bakambu	(1991-04-11) 11 April 1991	40	13	Oympique Marseille
	4FW	Meschak Elia	(1997-08-06) 6 August 1997	21	6	Young Boys
	4FW	Ben Malango	(1993-09-10) 10 September 1993	15	5	Al-Sharjah
	4FW	Yoane Wissa	(1996-09-03) 3 September 1996	4	2	Brentford
	4FW	Theo Bongonda	(1995-11-20) 20 November 1995	3	0	Genk

The following players have also been called up for DR Congo in the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Baggio Siadi Ngusia	(1997-07-21) 21 July 1997	2	0	Groupe Bazano	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
GK	Pululu Kinu Archimede		0	0	Renaissance	Training camp, January 2022
GK	Parfait Mandanda	(1989-10-10) 10 October 1989	12	0	Mouscron	v.  Madagascar, 11 October 2021
GK	Brudel Efonge	(1999-05-28) 28 May 1999	0	0	Maniema Union	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
GK	Riffi Mandanda	(1992-10-11) 11 October 1992	0	0	Créteil	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
GK	Jackson Lunanga	(1997-04-05) 5 April 1997	0	0	Vita Club	v.  Mali, 11 June 2021
DF	Yannick Bangala Litombo	(1994-04-12) 12 April 1994	22	0	Young Africans	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
DF	Fabrice Nsakala	(1990-07-21) 21 July 1990	19	0	Beşiktaş	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
DF	Idumba Fasika	(1999-02-28) 28 February 1999	7	1	Cape Town City	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
DF	Djuma Shabani	(1993-03-16) 16 March 1993	3	0	Young Africans	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
DF	Sita Luzolo	(1997-01-04) 4 January 1997	2	0	Mazembe	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
DF	Amedee Masasi	(1991-09-11) 11 September 1991	4	2	Motema Pembe	Training camp, January 2022
DF	Arsène Zola	(1996-02-23) 23 February 1996	1	0	Mazembe	Training camp, January 2022
DF	Issaka Boka	(1999-11-20) 20 November 1999	0	0	Lupopo	Training camp, January 2022
DF	Christian Ndotoni Kayembe	(1990-02-05) 5 February 1990	0	0	Motema Pembe	Training camp, January 2022
DF	Taboria Simete	(1993-09-25) 25 September 1993	0	0	Maniema	Training camp, January 2022
DF	Issama Mpeko	(1989-04-30) 30 April 1989	76	1	Mazembe	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
DF	Henoc Inonga Baka	(1993-11-01) 1 November 1993	2	0	Simba	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
DF	Gédéon Kalulu	(1997-08-29) 29 August 1997	2	0	Ajaccio	v.  Mali, 11 June 2021
MF	Miché Mika	(1996-09-16) 16 September 1996	8	0	Mazembe	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
MF	Joel Ngandu Kayamba	(1992-04-17) 17 April 1992	7	0	Viktoria Plzeň	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
MF	Mukoko Tonombe	(1996-01-16) 16 January 1996	7	0	Young Africans	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
MF	Kévin Mondeko	(1995-09-10) 10 September 1995	1	0	Mazembe	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
MF	Beni Baningime	(1998-09-09) 9 September 1998	0	0	Heart of Midlothian	v.  Bahrain, 2 February 2022 PRE
MF	Trésor Mputu	(1985-12-10) 10 December 1985	50	14	Mazembe	Training camp, January 2022
MF	Fabrice Ngoma	(1994-01-22) 22 January 1994	17	0	Raja Casablanca	Training camp, January 2022
MF	Maxi Mpia Nzengeli	(2000-01-30) 30 January 2000	0	0	Maniema Union	Training camp, January 2022
MF	Glody Likonza	(1998-05-10) 10 May 1998	1	0	Standard Liège	v.  Benin, 14 November 2021
MF	Omenuke Mfulu	(1994-03-20) 20 March 1994	1	0	Las Palmas	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
MF	Charles Pickel	(1997-05-15) 15 May 1997	0	0	Famalicão	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
MF	Giannelli Imbula	(1992-09-12) 12 September 1992	2	0	Portimonense	v.  Mali, 11 June 2021
FW	Kadima Kabangu	(1993-06-15) 15 June 1993	4	0	Motema Pembe	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
FW	Chadrac Muzungu	(1997-04-14) 14 April 1997	2	0	RS Berkane	v.  Bahrain, 22 February 2022
FW	Makabi Lilepo	(1997-07-27) 27 July 1997	3	0	Vita Club	Training camp, January 2022
FW	Kelvin Bileko	(2000-09-24) 24 September 2000	0	0	Mazembe	Training camp, January 2022
FW	Adam Bossu	(1999-11-16) 16 November 1999	0	0	Mazembe	Training camp, January 2022
FW	Jonathan Ikangalombo		0	0	Motema Pembe	Training camp, January 2022
FW	Kitwa Kalowa	(1996-10-28) 28 October 1996	0	0	Maniema	Training camp, January 2022
FW	Karim Kimvuidi Ntikubuka	(2002-03-13) 13 March 2002	0	0	Motema Pembe	Training camp, January 2022
FW	Merceil Ngimbi Vundi	(1997-04-18) 18 April 1997	0	0	Mazembe	Training camp, January 2022
FW	Jackson Muleka	(1999-10-04) 4 October 1999	9	1	Kasımpaşa	v.  Benin, 14 November 2021
FW	André Bukia	(1995-03-03) 3 March 1995	1	0	Arouca	v.  Madagascar, 11 October 2021
FW	Jonathan Okita	(1995-10-05) 5 October 1995	1	0	NEC Nijmegen	v.  Madagascar, 11 October 2021
FW	Jonathan Bolingi	(1994-06-30) 30 June 1994	31	8	Buriram United	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
FW	Jordan Botaka	(1993-06-24) 24 June 1993	25	4	Fortuna Sittard	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
FW	Britt Assombalonga	(1992-09-06) 6 September 1992	10	1	Adana Demirspor	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
FW	Benik Afobe	(1993-02-12) 12 February 1993	5	1	Millwall	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
FW	Joël Beya	(1999-12-08) 8 December 1999	4	4	Mazembe	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
FW	Walter Bwalya	(1995-05-05) 5 May 1995	1	0	Al Ahly	v.  Madagascar, 6 October 2021 PRE
FW	Kazadi Kasengu	(1992-07-20) 20 July 1992	5	0	Wydad Casablanca	v.  Tunisia, 31 May 2021 PRE
FW	Phillippe Kinzumbi	(1997-06-30) 30 June 1997	0	0	Mazembe	v.  Tunisia, 31 May 2021 PRE
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.

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 DR Congo national under-23 football team
Total	4/4	0	0	0	0	0	0