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Congo national football team facts for kids

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Congo
Nickname(s) Ba Diabulu ya Mbwaki
(The Red Devils)
Association Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coach Isaac Ngata (Interim)
Captain Amour Loussoukou
Most caps Jonas Bahamboula
Delvin N'Dinga (56)
Top scorer Thievy Bifouma (16)
Home stadium Stade ya mbanza Kintélé
Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
FIFA code CGO
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 84 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 42 (September 2015)
Lowest 144 (September 2011)
Elo ranking
Current 106 Increase 5 (3 March 2019)
Highest 37 (July 1972)
Lowest 133 (4 September 2011)
First international
France French Congo 5–1 Cameroon France
(Middle Congo; 1954)
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
Appearances 7 (first in 1968)
Best result Champions (1972)
Jordan International Tournament
Appearances 1 (first in 1992)
Best result Fourth place (1992)

The Congo national football team represents the Republic of the Congo in men's association football. The team is managed by the Congolese Football Federation. They are often called Ba Diabulu ya Mbwaki, which means "The Red Devils".

Even though they have never played in the FIFA World Cup, the team won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1972. They also won the All-Africa Games football tournament in 1965. The team is a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History of the Congo Football Team

The Congo national football team played its first game in February 1960. It was a friendly match against the Ivory Coast, which they lost 4–2. In April 1960, they won their first game against Reunion with a score of 4–1. They then beat the Ivory Coast 3–2. However, they lost to Cameroon and Madagascar in later matches.

In April 1963, Congo played in another friendly competition in Senegal. They won against the Ivory Coast (3–2), their neighbor Democratic Republic of Congo (2–1), and Mauritania (11–0).

In July 1965, Congo hosted the 1965 All-Africa Games. They played against Mali, Uganda, and Togo. They reached the semi-finals and beat the Ivory Coast 1–0. In the final, they drew 0–0 with Mali but won the tournament because they had more corner kicks. This was a big win for the team!

Congo played their first non-African team on January 11, 1967, beating Romania 1–0. They then qualified for their first Africa Cup of Nations finals in 1968. The finals were held in Ethiopia. Congo lost all their group matches and were knocked out.

In 1972, Congo achieved their biggest success by winning the African Cup of Nations. They beat host Cameroon 1–0 in the semi-final. Then, they won the championship by defeating Mali 3–2. A famous player from that team was François M'Pelé, who later played for PSG.

In the qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup, Congo almost made it to the final tournament. They won home games against Zambia, DR Congo, and South Africa. However, they lost their last match 1–0 away to South Africa and were eliminated.

In February 2025, FIFA temporarily stopped Congo from playing in international competitions. This was due to issues with how the FECOFOOT (Congo's football governing body) was being run.

Recent Matches

Here are some of the recent match results for the Congo national football team.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

25 March Friendly Gabon  1–1  Congo Chambly, France
20:30
  • Lemina Goal 42'
  • Ganvoula Goal 73'
Stadium: Stade des Marais
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo  0–3
Awarded
 Niger Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1 Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo  0–6  Morocco Agadir, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
  • Ounahi Goal 8'
  • Riad Goal 16'
  • El Kaabi Goal 30'39'53'
  • Rahimi Goal 62'
Stadium: Adrar Stadium
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)
5 September 2024 (2024-09-05) 2025 AFCON qualification Congo  1–0  South Sudan Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1 Massanga Goal 12' Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Celso Armindo Alvação (Mozambique)
9 September 2024 (2024-09-09) 2025 AFCON qualification Uganda  2–0  Congo Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3
  • Kayondo Goal 21'
  • Ssemugabi Goal 85'
Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) 2025 AFCON qualification South Africa  5–0  Congo Gqeberha, South Africa
20:00 UTC+2
  • Mokoena Goal 12'27'
  • Aubaas Goal 37'
  • Foster Goal 52'
  • Rayners Goal 78'
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) 2025 AFCON qualification Congo  1–1  South Africa Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1
  • Bassouamina Goal 45+3'
  • Mokwana Goal 33'
Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)
14 November 2024 (2024-11-14) 2025 AFCON qualification South Sudan  3–2  Congo Juba, South Sudan
14:00 UTC+2
  • Ezibon Goal 31'45+2'
  • Ibayi Goal 26'35'
Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)
19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 AFCON qualification Congo  0–1  Uganda Brazzaville, Congo
13:00 UTC+1
  • Mutyaba Goal 55'
Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)

2025 Matches

17 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Tanzania  3–0
Awarded
 Congo TBD, Tanzania
24 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo  0–3
Awarded
 Zambia TBD, Congo
1 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo  v  Tanzania TBD, Congo
8 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Congo  Canceled  Eritrea TBD, Congo
6 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Niger  v  Congo TBD, Niger
13 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Morocco  v  Congo TBD, Morocco

Team Coaches

The current head coach for the Congo national football team is Isaac Ngata. He works with a team of assistant coaches, a goalkeeping coach, and a fitness coach.

Position Name
Head coach Republic of the Congo Isaac Ngata
Assistant coaches Republic of the Congo Moïse Mavundza
Republic of the Congo Henri Nganga
Goalkeeping coach Republic of the Congo Gérald Mbandaka
Fitness coach Republic of the Congo Formose Kimbuta

Current Players

Here are the players who were recently called up for the Congo national football team.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Trey Vimalin (2001-01-28) 28 January 2001 (age 24) 4 0 France Fleury 91
1GK Marly Prince Heritier (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 (age 26) 1 0 Kosovo Feronikeli 74
1GK Chelcy Bonazebi (2006-05-18) 18 May 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Republic of the Congo CARA Brazzaville
1GK David Opoundja (1998-04-03) 3 April 1998 (age 27) 0 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Celeste

2DF Ryan Bidounga (1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 28) 10 0 Bulgaria CSKA 1948
2DF Bryan Passi (1997-08-05) 5 August 1997 (age 27) 10 0 Portugal Mafra
2DF Morgan Poaty (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 28) 10 0 Switzerland Lausanne-Sport
2DF Ramaric Etou (1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 (age 30) 7 0 Georgia (country) Dila Gori
2DF Loïs Fauriel (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 23) 3 0 Cyprus Doxa Katokopias
2DF Christ Makosso (2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 21) 3 0 France Sochaux
2DF Janard Berlohd Mbemba (2002-03-06) 6 March 2002 (age 23) 3 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs

3MF Harvy Ossété (1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 (age 25) 31 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Saint-Éloi Lupopo
3MF Merveil Ndockyt (1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 27) 27 1 Croatia Gorica
3MF Gaius Makouta (1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 28) 24 2 Portugal Boavista
3MF Fred Dembi (1995-02-21) 21 February 1995 (age 30) 12 1 France Red Star
3MF Chandrel Massanga (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 25) 12 1 Turkey Hatayspor
3MF Nolan Mbemba (1995-02-19) 19 February 1995 (age 30) 10 0 France Grenoble
3MF Glid Otanga (2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Qatar Al Kharaitiyat

4FW Prestige Mboungou (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 25) 31 2 Serbia TSC
4FW Silvère Ganvoula (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 29) 24 6 Italy Monza
4FW Mons Bassouamina (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 27) 13 2 France Pau
4FW Yann Mabella (1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 (age 29) 8 0 Luxembourg RFCU Union
4FW Christopher Ibayi (1995-07-18) 18 July 1995 (age 30) 3 2 France Rouen
4FW Jason Bahamboula (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 24) 2 0 Canada HFX Wanderers
4FW Archange Bintsouka (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Albania Partizani
4FW Elie Andzouono (2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs
4FW Beni Namboka unknown 1 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Celeste

Team Records

These tables show the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for the Congo national team.

Most Games Played

Locomotiv-Terec (6)
Delvin N'Dinga is one of Congo's most experienced players, with 56 games.
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 Christoffer Mafoumbi 38 0 2012–present
Brice Samba 38 0 1990–2001

Top Goal Scorers

Thievy Bifouma (Reims)
Thievy Bifouma has scored the most goals for Congo with 16.
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
Rolf-Christel Guié-Mien 5 25 0.2 1996–2008
Hardy Binguila 5 29 0.17 2013–present
Silvère Ganvoula 5 29 0.17 2014–present
Fabrice Ondama 5 37 0.14 2006–2017

Competition History

Congo has played in many important football tournaments. Here's how they've done in some of them.

FIFA World Cup

Congo has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

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 2 3
Argentina 1978 4 1 1 2 7 8
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 Suspended 3 0 0 3 2 13
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/15 71 21 16 34 77 105

Africa Cup of Nations

Congo won the Africa Cup of Nations once, in 1972.

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
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined
2029
Total 1 Title 7/35 26 7 8 11 27 37

African Games

Congo won the gold medal in football at the African Games in 1965.

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

Team Achievements

The Congo national football team has won several important tournaments.

Continental Titles

Regional Titles

  • CEMAC Cup
    • 1 Champions (2): 2007, 2010
    • 2 Runners-up (2): 2008, 2014
    • 3 Third place (2): 2003, 2013
  • UDEAC Championship
    • 1 Champions (1): 1990
    • 2 Runners-up (2): 1984, 1985
    • 3 Third place (2): 1986, 1988
  • Central African Games
    • 2 Silver medal (2): 1976, 1981
    • 3 Bronze medal (1): 1987

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol del Congo para niños

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