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Congo national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Not to be confused with DR Congo national football team.
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Congo women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Congo
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Ba Diabulu ya Mbwaki
(The Red Devils)
Association Kimvuka ya nkweso ya Kongo (KNK)
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 (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).

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. 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)

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

2024

2025

Coaches

  • Republic of the Congo Paul Ebondzibato (1962–1964)
  • Soviet Union Vasily Sokolov (1964–1965)
  • Republic of the Congo Paul Ebondzibato (1965–1970)
  • Republic of the Congo Adolphe Bibanzoulou (1970–1973)
  • Republic of the Congo Robert Ndoudi (1973–1974)
  • Romania Cicerone Manolache (1974–1976)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Zoran Ristić (1984)
  • France Yvon Goujon (1986–1987)
  • Republic of the Congo Noël Minga (1992–1993)
  • Republic of the Congo David Mémy (1997–1998)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Alain Nestor Ngouinda (1998–1999)
  • Republic of the Congo David Mémy (1999–2000)
  • Republic of the Congo Camille Ngakosso (2000)
  • Republic of the Congo Gaston Tchangana (2001)
  • Republic of the Congo Noël Minga (2001)
  • Romania Eugen Moldovan (2001–2002)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Alain Nestor Ngouinda (2002)
  • Switzerland Claude Andrey (2002–2003)
  • Netherlands Tahseen Jabbary (2002–2003)
  • France Jean-Paul Bernard (2003)
  • France Michel Hidalgo (2004)
  • France Christian Létard (2004–2005)
  • Republic of the Congo Gaston Tchangana (2005–2006)
  • France Noël Tosi (2006–2007)
  • Republic of the Congo Gaston Tchangana (2007–2008)
  • Serbia Ivica Todorov (2008–2010)
  • France Robert Corfou (2010–2011)
  • Republic of the Congo Camille Ngakosso (2011)
  • France Jean-Guy Wallemme (2011–2012)
  • France Kamel Djabour (2012–13)
  • France Claude Le Roy (2013–15)
  • France Pierre Lechantre (2016)
  • Republic of the Congo Barthélémy Ngatsono (2016–17)
  • France Sébastien Migné (2017–18)
  • Brazil Valdo Filho (2018–2021)
  • Belgium Paul Put (2021–2023)
  • France Isaac Ngata (2023-present)

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach FranceRepublic 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
Match analyst Republic of the Congo François Mpanga
Doctors Republic of the Congo Dr. Stéphane Mavungu
Republic of the Congo Dr. Gervais Tchibinda
Physiotherapists Republic of the Congo Aurélien Kimpembe
Republic of the Congo Maurice Mvoungou
Republic of the Congo Loïc Kimbela
Republic of the Congo Jérôme Tchuka
Team coordinator Republic of the Congo Hervé Ngolo
Technical director Republic of the Congo Maxime Nzassi

Players

Current squad

The following players were called-up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against South Sudan and Uganda on 14 and 19 November 2024 respectively.

Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Uganda

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Trey Vimalin (2001-01-28) 28 January 2001 (age 23) 4 0 France Fleury 91
1GK Marly Prince Heritier (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Kosovo Feronikeli 74
1GK Chelcy Bonazebi (2006-05-18) 18 May 2006 (age 18) 0 0 Republic of the Congo CARA Brazzaville
1GK David Opoundja (1998-04-03) 3 April 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Celeste
2DF Ryan Bidounga (1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 27) 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 27) 10 0 Switzerland Lausanne-Sport
2DF Ramaric Etou (1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 (age 29) 7 0 Georgia (country) Dila Gori
2DF Loïs Fauriel (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Cyprus Doxa Katokopias
2DF Christ Makosso (2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 20) 3 0 France Sochaux
2DF Janard Berlohd Mbemba (2002-03-06) 6 March 2002 (age 22) 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 26) 27 1 Croatia Gorica
3MF Gaius Makouta (1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 27) 24 2 Portugal Boavista
3MF Fred Dembi (1995-02-21) 21 February 1995 (age 29) 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 29) 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 24) 31 2 Serbia TSC
4FW Silvère Ganvoula (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 28) 24 6 Switzerland Young Boys
4FW Mons Bassouamina (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 26) 13 2 France Pau
4FW Yann Mabella (1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 (age 28) 8 0 Luxembourg RFCU Union
4FW Christopher Ibayi (1995-07-18) 18 July 1995 (age 29) 3 2 France Rouen
4FW Jason Bahamboula (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Latvia Valmiera
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 22) 1 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs
4FW Beni Namboka unknown 1 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Celeste

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 Christoffer Mafoumbi (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 (age 30) 38 0 Malta Floriana v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024
GK Pavelh Ndzila (1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 29) 21 0 Rwanda APR v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
GK Owen-Césaire Matimbou (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 22) 2 0 France Orleans v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
GK Melvin Zinga (2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0 France Anger v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
GK Melvin Douniama (2003-02-26) 26 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0 France Paris FC B v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
GK Cristophe Wamba (2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Republic of the Congo Étoile du Congo v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF Yhoan Andzouana (1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 (age 28) 14 0 Slovakia DAC v.  South Sudan, 14 November 2024 PRE
DF Francis Nzaba (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Turkey İstanbul Başakşehir v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
DF Kévin Mouanga (2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 24) 0 0 France Annecy v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
DF Ravy Tsouka (1994-12-23) 23 December 1994 (age 29) 20 0 Cyprus AEL Limassol v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF Vladis Illoy (1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 (age 29) 3 1 Russia Ural Yekaterinburg v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF Loick Ayina (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Scotland Ross County v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF Mark Mampassi (2003-03-12) 12 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Belgium Kortrijk v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF Erving Botaka (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 26) 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
MF Raviere Otanga (2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 24) 3 0 Ghana Hearts of Oak v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024
MF Antoine Makoumbou (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 26) 19 1 Italy Cagliari v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024 PRE
MF Brunallergene Etou (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30) 1 0 United States Pittsburgh RH v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
MF Will Hondermarck (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 24) 1 0 England Northampton Town v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
MF Rabby Nzingoula (2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 19) 0 0 France Strasbourg v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
MF Durel Avounou (1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 (age 27) 23 0 Romania CFR Cluj v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
MF Tsomou Likibi (1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 37) 2 1 Republic of the Congo Inter Club v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
MF Dylan Bahamboula (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 29) 12 0 Bahrain Busaiteen Club v.  Gabon, 26 March 2024
FW Josna Loulendo (2004-01-15) 15 January 2004 (age 20) 2 0 United Arab Emirates Al Ain v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024
FW Prince Ibara (1996-02-07) 7 February 1996 (age 28) 21 4 Algeria Khenchela v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
FW Béni Makouana (1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 (age 25) 15 0 Ukraine Polissya Zhytomyr v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
FW Gabriel Charpentier (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 25) 3 1 Italy Parma v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
FW Alain Ipiélé (1997-08-20) 20 August 1997 (age 27) 1 0 France Martigues v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
FW Inno Loemba (2004-08-04) 4 August 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Republic of the Congo Otoho v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
  • 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

Players in bold are still active with Congo.

Most appearances

Locomotiv-Terec (6)
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
Christoffer Mafoumbi 38 0 2012–present

Top goalscorers

Thievy Bifouma (Reims)
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
Rolf-Christel Guié-Mien 5 25 0.2 1996–2008
Silvère Ganvoula 5 27 0.19 2014–present
Hardy Binguila 5 29 0.17 2013–present
Fabrice Ondama 5 37 0.14 2006–2017

Competition records

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 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

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 7/34 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 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

Honours

Continental

Regional

  • 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
  1. Competition organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, officially not recognized by FIFA.

See also

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

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