Congo national football team

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Republic of the Congo national football team
)
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
Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
FIFA codeCGO
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
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

The Congo national football team (

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

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

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

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

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)

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

27 March 2023 AFCON qualification South Sudan  0–1  Congo Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium:
National Stadium
Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria
)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Congo  0–2  Mali Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium:
Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco
)
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

25 March
Friendly
 Gabon  1–1  Congo Chambly, France
20:30
Report
Stadium: Stade des Marais
June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo  v  Niger TBD, Congo
June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo  v  Morocco TBD, Congo

2025

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

Players

Current squad

The following players were called-up for the

friendly match against Gabon on 26 March 2024.[5]

Caps and goals are correct as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Gabon.[6]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
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 Owen-Césaire Matimbou (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 21) 1 0 France Orleans
2DF Ravy Tsouka (1994-12-23) 23 December 1994 (age 29) 19 0 Cyprus AEL Limassol
2DF Yhoan Andzouana (1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 (age 27) 9 0 Slovakia DAC Dunajská Streda
2DF Bryan Passi (1997-08-05) 5 August 1997 (age 26) 5 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv
2DF Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet (1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 (age 28) 3 1 Russia Ural Yekaterinburg
2DF Loick Ayina (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Scotland Ross County
2DF Erving Botaka (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0
Arsenal Tula
2DF Christ Makosso (2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 19) 1 0 France Sochaux
2DF Brayann Pereira (2003-05-21) 21 May 2003 (age 20) 0 0 Netherlands NEC
3MF Gaius Makouta (1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 26) 19 2 Portugal Boavista
3MF Antoine Makoumbou (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 25) 17 1 Italy Cagliari
3MF Dylan Bahamboula (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 28) 12 0 Bahrain Busaiteen Club
3MF Chandrel Massanga (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 24) 9 0 Turkey Hatayspor
3MF Fred Dembi (1995-02-21) 21 February 1995 (age 29) 7 1 France Red Star
3MF Will Hondermarck (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 23) 0 0 England Northampton
3MF Rabby Nzingoula (2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 18) 0 0 England Strasbourg
4FW Silvère Ganvoula (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 27) 17 6 Switzerland Young Boys
4FW Mons Bassouamina (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 25) 6 1 France Pau
4FW Gabriel Charpentier (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 24) 3 1 Italy Parma
4FW Jason Bahamboula (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 22) 0 0 Latvia Valmiera
4FW Archange Bintsouka (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 21) 0 0 Albania Partizani
4FW Christopher Ibayi (1995-07-18) 18 July 1995 (age 28) 0 0
Rouen
4FW Alain Ipiélé (1997-08-20) 20 August 1997 (age 26) 0 0 France Dunkerque

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 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
Otôho
 v.  Gambia, 10 September 2023
GK Chris Guelor Bissila (2003-12-10) 10 December 2003 (age 20) 0 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
GK Chill Ngakosso (1994-07-26) 26 July 1994 (age 29) 0 0 Republic of the Congo ACNFF v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
GK Christoffer Mafoumbi (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 (age 30) 37 0 Luxembourg Differdange v.  Mali, 18 June 2023 PRE
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 27) 9 0 Switzerland Servette v.  Zambia, 17 November 2023
DF Morgan Poaty (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 26) 5 0 Switzerland Lausanne-Sport v.  Zambia, 17 November 2023
DF Ryan Bidounga (1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 26) 6 0 Bulgaria FC CSKA 1948 Sofia v.  Gambia, 10 September 2023
DF Francis Nzaba (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 21) 3 0 Georgia (country) Dinamo Tbilisi v.  Gambia, 10 September 2023
DF Faria Jobel Ondongo (1996-06-19) 19 June 1996 (age 27) 3 0
Otôho
 v.  Gambia, 10 September 2023
DF Messie Biatoumoussoka (1998-06-05) 5 June 1998 (age 25) 2 0 Morocco AS FAR v.  Gambia, 10 September 2023
DF Varel Rozan (1999-09-09) 9 September 1999 (age 24) 21 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Vita Club v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
DF Raddy Ovouka (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 (age 24) 9 0 Kosovo Drita v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
DF Ramaric Etou (1995-01-25) 25 January 1995 (age 29) 4 0 Georgia (country) Dila Gori v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
DF Roussel Ngoulou M'Bani (2003-08-16) 16 August 2003 (age 20) 0 0 Republic of the Congo Étoile du Congo v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
MF Prestige Mboungou (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 23) 25 2 United Arab Emirates Ajman v.  Zambia, 17 November 2023
MF Thievy Bifouma (1992-05-13) 13 May 1992 (age 31) 41 16 Greece A.E. Kifisia v.  Zambia, 17 November 2023 INJ
MF Merveil Ndockyt (1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 25) 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 Guingamp v.  Gambia, 10 September 2023
MF Nsana Simon (2000-03-11) 11 March 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Slovenia NK Bravo v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Domi Massoumou (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 (age 20) 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 27) 10 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv v.  Gambia, 10 September 2023
FW Prince Ibara (1996-02-07) 7 February 1996 (age 28) 16 4 Vietnam Becamex Binh Duong v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Chance Mondzenga (2001-05-10) 10 May 2001 (age 22) 1 0 Tunisia Métlaoui v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Christ Toulouenga (2005-08-24) 24 August 2005 (age 18) 1 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Bevic Moussiti-Oko (1995-01-28) 28 January 1995 (age 29) 7 0 France Ajaccio v.  Mali, 18 June 2023 INJ
  • 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 17 November 2023[7]
Players in bold are still active with Congo.

Most appearances

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

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
Silvère Ganvoula 5 20 0.25 2014–present
Guy Mbenza 5 21 0.24 2017–present
Hardy Binguila 5 25 0.2 2013–present
Rolf-Christel Guié-Mien 5 25 0.2 1996–2008
Fabrice Ondama 5 37 0.14 2006–2017

Competition records

FIFA World Cup record

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L F A Pld W D L F A
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 1 0 0 1 2 4
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/15 69 21 16 32 81 92

Africa Cup of Nations record

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
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
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

See also: Congo national under-23 football team
See also: Congo national under-20 football team
African Games record
Year Result M 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

Africa Cup of Nations
Football at the African Games
  • Gold medalists: 1965
CEMAC Cup:
  • Winners: 2007
UDEAC Championship
:
  • Winners: 1990

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings". www.eloratings.net. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 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. ^ "Fédération Congolaise de Football Officiel: Liste des Diables Rouges". www.facebook.com.
  6. ^ "Gabon vs. Congo".
  7. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Congo-Brazzaville – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 March 2018.

External links

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