[go: nahoru, domu]

The Congo national football team (Kikongo: Ekipe ya nkweso ya nsi ya Kongo) 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).

Congo
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Ba Diabulu ya Mbwaki
(The Red Devils)
AssociationKimvuka ya nkweso ya Kongo (KNK)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coachIsaac Ngata (Interim)
CaptainAmour Loussoukou
Most capsJonas Bahamboula
Delvin N'Dinga (56)
Top scorerThievy Bifouma (16)
Home stadiumStade ya mbanza Kintélé
Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
FIFA codeCGO
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 118 Decrease 5 (18 July 2024)[1]
Highest42 (September 2015)
Lowest144 (September 2011)
First international
France French Congo 5–1 Cameroon France
(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)
Jordan International Tournament
Appearances1 (first in 1992)
Best resultFourth place (1992)

History

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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

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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10 September 2023 AFCON qualification Gambia   2–2   Congo Marrakesh, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)
17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Zambia   4–2   Congo Ndola, Zambia
18:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)

2024

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25 March Friendly Gabon   1–1   Congo Chambly, France
20:30
Report
Stadium: Stade des Marais
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo   Postponed[a]   Niger Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo   0–6   Morocco Agadir, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)

2025

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March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Tanzania   v   Congo TBD, Tanzania
March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo   v   Zambia TBD, Congo
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo   v   Tanzania TBD, Congo
September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo   v   Eritrea TBD, Congo
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Niger   v   Congo TBD, Niger
October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Morocco   v   Congo TBD, Morocco

Coaches

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Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Niger and Morocco on 6 and 11 June 2024 respectively.[6]

Caps and goals are correct as of 12 June 2024, after the match against Morocco.[7]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Owen-Césaire Matimbou (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 22) 2 0 France  Orleans
1GK Trey Vimalin (2001-01-28) 28 January 2001 (age 23) 1 0 France  Fleury 91
1GK Melvin Douniama (2003-02-26) 26 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0 France  Paris FC Youth
1GK Cristophe Wamba (2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 20) 0 0 Unknown

2DF Ravy Tsouka (1994-12-23) 23 December 1994 (age 29) 20 0 Cyprus  AEL Limassol
2DF Yhoan Andzouana (1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 (age 27) 10 0 Slovakia  DAC Dunajská Streda
2DF Bryan Passi (1997-08-05) 5 August 1997 (age 27) 6 0 Portugal  Mafra
2DF Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet (1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 (age 28) 3 1 Russia  Ural Yekaterinburg
2DF Christ Makosso (2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 20) 2 0 France  Sochaux
2DF Loick Ayina (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Scotland  Ross County
2DF Mark Mampassi (2003-03-12) 12 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Belgium  K.V. Kortrijk

3MF Durel Avounou (1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 (age 26) 23 0 Romania  CFR Cluj
3MF Gaius Makouta (1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 27) 20 2 Portugal  Boavista
3MF Antoine Makoumbou (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 26) 17 1 Italy  Cagliari
3MF Chandrel Massanga (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 24) 10 0 Turkey  Hatayspor
3MF Fred Dembi (1995-02-21) 21 February 1995 (age 29) 8 1 France  Red Star
3MF Tsomou Likibi (1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 37) 2 1 Unknown
3MF Will Hondermarck (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 23) 1 0 England  Northampton Town
3MF Raviere Otanga (2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 23) 1 0 Ghana  Hearts of Oak
3MF Rabby Nzingoula (2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 18) 0 0 France  Strasbourg

4FW Silvère Ganvoula (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 28) 18 6 Switzerland  Young Boys
4FW Mons Bassouamina (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 26) 7 1 France  Pau
4FW Jason Bahamboula (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Latvia  Valmiera
4FW Archange Bintsouka (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Albania  Partizani
4FW Alain Ipiélé (1997-08-20) 20 August 1997 (age 26) 1 0 France  Martigues
4FW Inno Loemba (2004-08-04) 4 August 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Republic of the Congo  Otoho
4FW Christopher Ibayi (1995-07-18) 18 July 1995 (age 29) 0 0 France  Rouen

Recent call-ups

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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 Wolfrigon Mongondza (1990-04-08) 8 April 1990 (age 34) 3 0 Republic of the Congo  Diables Noirs v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023
GK Pavelh Ndzila (1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 29) 19 0 Rwanda  APR v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023
GK Giscard Mavoungou (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Republic of the Congo  Otôho v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023

DF Erving Botaka (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Russia  Arsenal Tula v.   Gabon, 26 March 2024
DF Brayann Pereira (2003-05-21) 21 May 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Netherlands  NEC v.   Gabon, 26 March 2024
DF Julfin Ondongo (1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 (age 27) 11 0 Libya  Almurooj v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023
DF Bradley Mazikou (1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 (age 28) 9 0 Switzerland  Servette v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023
DF Morgan Poaty (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 27) 5 0 Switzerland  Lausanne-Sport v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023
DF Ryan Bidounga (1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 27) 6 0 Bulgaria  FC CSKA 1948 Sofia v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023
DF Francis Nzaba (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Turkey  Gençlerbirliği v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023
DF Faria Jobel Ondongo (1996-06-19) 19 June 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Republic of the Congo  Otôho v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023
DF Messie Biatoumoussoka (1998-06-05) 5 June 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Morocco  AS FAR v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023

MF Dylan Bahamboula (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 29) 12 0 Bahrain  Busaiteen Club v.   Gabon, 26 March 2024
MF Prestige Mboungou (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 24) 25 2 United Arab Emirates  Ajman v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023
MF Thievy Bifouma (1992-05-13) 13 May 1992 (age 32) 41 16 Greece  A.E. Kifisia v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023 INJ
MF Merveil Ndockyt (1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 26) 21 1 Croatia  HNK Gorica v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023 INJ
MF Harvy Ossété (1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 (age 24) 28 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo  Saint-Éloi v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023
MF Warren Tchimbembé (1998-04-21) 21 April 1998 (age 26) 2 0 France  Metz B v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023

FW Gabriel Charpentier (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 25) 3 1 Italy  Parma v.   Gabon, 26 March 2024
FW Domi Massoumou (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Republic of the Congo  Diables Noirs v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023
FW Béni Makouana (1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 (age 24) 13 0 Ukraine  Polissya Zhytomyr v.   Zambia, 17 November 2023 INJ
FW Guy Mbenza (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 24) 21 5 Qatar  Muaither SC v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023
FW Mavis Tchibota (1996-05-07) 7 May 1996 (age 28) 10 0 Israel  Hapoel Tel Aviv v.   Gambia, 10 September 2023

  • 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

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As of 11 June 2024[8]
Players in bold are still active with Congo.

Most appearances

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Delvin N'Dinga is Congo's joint-most capped player with 56 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Jonas Bahamboula 56 13 1969–1982
Delvin N'Dinga 56 1 2008–2021
3 Destin Makita 55 1 2001–2013
4 Barel Mouko 51 1 2004–2018
5 Magnoléké Bissiki 45 0 2012–2021
6 Oscar Ewolo 44 2 2000–2013
7 Prince Oniangué 43 8 2008–2019
8 Thievy Bifouma 41 16 2014–present
Francis N'Ganga 41 3 2008–2017
10 Brice Samba 38 0 1990–2001

Top goalscorers

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Thievy Bifouma is Congo's top scorer with 16 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Thievy Bifouma 16 41 0.39 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
Férébory Doré 10 37 0.27 2010–2017
7 Jean-Jacques N'Domba 8 35 0.23 1974–1992
Prince Oniangué 8 43 0.19 2008–2019
9 Kader Bidimbou 5 13 0.38 2014–present
Guy Mbenza 5 21 0.24 2017–present
Silvère Ganvoula 5 23 0.22 2014–present
Rolf-Christel Guié-Mien 5 25 0.2 1996–2008
Hardy Binguila 5 29 0.17 2013–present
Fabrice Ondama 5 37 0.14 2006–2017

Competition records

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Part of   France Part of   France
as   Congo-Brazzaville
Chile  1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
England  1966 Entry not accepted by FIFA Entry not accepted by FIFA
as   People's Republic of the Congo
Mexico  1970 Did not enter Did not enter
West Germany  1974 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 2
Argentina  1978 4 1 1 2 10 5
Spain  1982 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico  1986
Italy  1990
as   Republic of the Congo
United States  1994 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 0 5
France  1998 8 4 2 2 8 6
South Korea  Japan  2002 10 3 2 5 10 17
Germany  2006 12 4 2 6 12 15
South Africa  2010 6 3 0 3 7 8
Brazil  2014 8 4 3 1 13 4
Russia  2018 8 2 2 4 11 16
Qatar  2022 6 0 3 3 5 10
Canada  Mexico  United States  2026 To be determined 2 0 0 2 2 10
Morocco  Portugal  Spain  2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia  2034
Total 0/15 70 21 16 33 81 98

Africa Cup of Nations

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Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan  1957 Part of   France
United Arab Republic  1959
Played as   Congo-Brazzaville
Ethiopia  1962 Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana  1963
Tunisia  1965
Ethiopia  1968 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 2 8
Played as   People's Republic of the Congo
Sudan  1970 Did not enter
Cameroon  1972 Winners 1st 5 3 1 1 9 5
Egypt  1974 Fourth place 4th 5 2 1 2 7 10
Ethiopia  1976 Did not qualify
Ghana  1978 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 1 4
Nigeria  1980 Did not qualify
Libya  1982
Ivory Coast  1984
Egypt  1986
Morocco  1988
Algeria  1990 Did not enter
Played as   Republic of the Congo
Senegal  1992 Quarter-finals 5th 3 0 2 1 2 3
Tunisia  1994 Did not qualify
South Africa  1996
Burkina Faso  1998
Ghana  Nigeria  2000 Group stage 11th 3 0 2 1 0 1
Mali  2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia  2004
Egypt  2006
Ghana  2008
Angola  2010
Gabon  Equatorial Guinea  2012
South Africa  2013
Equatorial Guinea  2015 Quarter-finals 5th 4 2 1 1 6 6
Gabon  2017 Did not qualify
Egypt  2019
Cameroon  2021
Ivory Coast  2023
Morocco  2025 To be determined
Kenya  Tanzania  Uganda  2027
Total 1 Title 7/34 26 7 8 11 27 37

African Games

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African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Republic of the Congo  1965 Gold 5 3 1 1 11 5
Nigeria  1973 6th 3 1 0 2 5 8
Total 2/4 8 4 1 3 16 13

Achievements

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Continental

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Africa Cup of Nations
Football at the African Games

Regional

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CEMAC Cup:
  • Winners: 2007
UDEAC Championship:
  • Winners: 1990

Notes

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  1. ^ Congo refused to travel for their home matches on 6 and 11 June, insisting that they be played in Brazzaville.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings". www.eloratings.net. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Congo (Brazzaville) - List of International Matches". RSSSF. Rec. Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  5. ^ Al Nassim, Hommam (5 June 2024). "Congo withdraws from its match with Niger in World Cup qualifiers". Northern Africa News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Congo : la liste contre le Maroc dévoilée… avec un nouveau de L1 !". afrik-foot.com. Archived from the original on 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  7. ^ https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/11/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/congo/morocco/4236886/
  8. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Congo-Brazzaville – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
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