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DR Congo national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Not to be confused with Congo national football team.
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see DR Congo women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
DR Congo
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Les Léopards
English: The Leopards
Association Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coach Sébastien Desabre
Captain Chancel Mbemba
Most caps Chancel Mbemba (89)
Top scorer Dieumerci Mbokani (22)
Home stadium Stade des Martyrs
FIFA code COD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 51 Decrease 2 (7 February 2019)
Highest 28 (July–August 2017)
Lowest 133 (October 2011)
Elo ranking
Current NR (3 March 2019)
Highest 20 (March 1974)
Lowest 111 (September 2010)
First international
Belgian Congo 3–2 Northern Rhodesia 
(Belgian Congo; Date Unknown 1948)
Biggest win
 Congo-Kinshasa 10–1 Zambia 
(Kinshasa, Congo DR; 22 November 1969)
Biggest defeat
 Yugoslavia 9–0 Zaire 
(Gelsenkirchen, West Germany; 18 June 1974)
World Cup
Appearances 1 (first in 1974)
Best result Group stage (1974)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 20 (first in 1965)
Best result Champions (1968, 1974)
African Nations Championship
Appearances 5 (first in 2009)
Best result Champions, (2009, 2016)

The DR Congo national football team is also known as Les Léopards, which means The Leopards. This team represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in international football games. It is managed by the Congolese Association Football Federation. They are a part of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The DR Congo team has been ranked as high as 28th in the world by FIFA Rankings. They were the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to play in the FIFA World Cup. They have also won the Africa Cup of Nations twice. The team is also one of the most successful in the African Nations Championship, winning it two times, just like Morocco. Currently, they are ranked 63rd in the world.

The Leopards' Journey in Football

How It All Started

The Congolese Association Football Federation was created in 1919. This was even before the country became independent. The team played its very first game in 1948. Back then, it was called Belgian Congo. They played against Northern Rhodesia, which is now Zambia. The team won that game 3–2 at home.

DR Congo joined FIFA in 1962 and CAF in 1963. Their first official match was on April 11, 1963. They played against Mauritania in Senegal and won 6–0. The national team first played in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1965.

Golden Years of Success

The Democratic Republic of the Congo had its first big success in 1968. They won the 1968 African Cup of Nations in Ethiopia. They beat Ghana 1–0 in the final game. Their biggest win ever was on November 22, 1969. They won 10–1 against Zambia at home.

Their second big win in Africa was in 1974 in Egypt. The Leopards won against Guinea (2–1), Congo (2–1), and Mauritius (4–1). This led them to the semi-finals. There, they beat the host team, Egypt, 3–2.

In the final, Zaire (as the country was known then) tied with Zambia 2–2. So, they played again two days later. Zaire won that game 2–0. A player from Zaire, Ndaye Mulamba, scored nine goals in the tournament. This is still a record for the competition!

Playing in the World Cup

Zaire was the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to play in a World Cup. They qualified for the 1974 tournament. They beat Morocco 3–0 to get there. At the World Cup, Zaire didn't score any goals. They lost all their games. They played well against Scotland and Brazil. However, they lost 9–0 to Yugoslavia. This is one of the biggest losses in World Cup history.

A strange moment happened in the game against Brazil. A defender named Mwepu Ilunga ran out of the wall during a free-kick. He kicked the ball away before the referee was ready. He got a yellow card for this. Many people thought this was a funny or confusing moment.

Tough Times and Comebacks

After their big wins in 1974, the team faced some challenges. They were out in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations. From 1978 to 1986, they didn't qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. They also didn't play in some World Cup qualifiers. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, they finished last in their group.

Finding Success Again

From 1992 to 1996, Zaire reached the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations three times in a row. In 1997, the country changed its name back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The team was then called the Simbas. At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo surprised everyone. They finished in third place! They beat Cameroon and then Burkina Faso in a penalty shootout.

In 2002, they reached the quarter-finals. In 2006, they also made it to the quarter-finals. They were led by coach Claude Le Roy.

Recent Challenges and Triumphs

DR Congo didn't qualify for the 2008 African Cup of Nations or the 2010 World Cup. However, in 2009, they won the 2009 African Championship of Nations. This is a special tournament for players who play in their home country's leagues. They won this tournament again in 2016.

In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo tied all three of their group matches. But they still made it to the quarter-finals! They played against their rivals, Republic of Congo. The Leopards were losing by two goals but came back to win 4–2. They finished in third place in that tournament.

The team played very well in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. They beat Libya and Guinea at home and away. But they just missed out on qualifying for the World Cup. They lost to Tunisia and tied with them in another game.

Home Field

The main stadium for the national team is the Stade des Martyrs. They have played most of their games there since it was built.

Who Coaches the Team?

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Léon Mokuna (1965)
  • Hungary Ferenc Csanádi (1967–1968)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Léon Mokuna (1968–1970)
  • France André Mori (1970)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Blagoje Vidinić (1970–1974)
  • Romania Ştefan Stănculescu (1974–1976)
  • Zaire Julien Kialunda (?–?)
  • West Germany Otto Pfister (1985–1989)
  • Zaire Ali Makombo Alamande (1989)
  • Zaire Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1992–1993)
  • Zaire Louis Watunda (1993)
  • Zaire Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1994)
  • Zaire Jean-Santos Muntubila (1995)
  • Turkey Muhsin Ertuğral (1995–1996)
  • Zaire Jean-Santos Muntubila (1996–1997)
  • Mali Mohamed Magassouba (1997)
  • Brazil Celio Barros (1997)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Saio Ernest Mokili (1997)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Louis Watunda Iyolo (1998–1999)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Médard Lusadusu Basilwa (1999–2000)
  • Sweden Roger Palmgren (1999–2000)
  • Mali Mohamed Magassouba (2000)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Jean-Santos Muntubila (2001)
  • Russia Yuri Gavrilov (2001)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Eugène Kabongo (2002)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Andy Mfutila (2002–2003)
  • England Mick Wadsworth (2003–2004)
  • France Claude Le Roy (2004–2006)
  • Belgium Henri Depireux (2006–2007)
  • France Patrice Neveu (2008–2010)
  • France Robert Nouzaret (2010–2011)
  • France Claude Le Roy (2011–2013)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Jean-Santos Muntubila (2013–2014)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Florent Ibengé (2014–2019)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Christian Nsengi-Biembe (2019–2021)
  • Argentina Héctor Cúper (2021–2022)
  • France Sébastien Desabre (2022–present)

Team Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification games in November 2024.

Stats are from November 19, 2024, after the game against Ethiopia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Lionel Mpasi (1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 30) 16 0 France Rodez
1GK Dimitry Bertaud (1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 27) 9 0 France Montpellier
1GK Timothy Fayulu (1999-07-24) 24 July 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Switzerland Sion
2DF Chancel Mbemba (captain) (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) 90 6 France Marseille
2DF Arthur Masuaku (1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 31) 30 3 Turkey Beşiktaş
2DF Henoc Inonga Baka (1993-11-01) 1 November 1993 (age 31) 22 0 Morocco AS FAR
2DF Gédéon Kalulu (1997-08-29) 29 August 1997 (age 27) 19 0 France Lorient
2DF Joris Kayembe (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) 11 0 Belgium Genk
2DF Dylan Batubinsika (1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 29) 9 1 France Saint-Étienne
2DF Rocky Bushiri (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Scotland Hibernian
2DF Peter Kioso (1999-08-15) 15 August 1999 (age 25) 1 0 England Oxford United
3MF Meschak Elia (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 27) 52 11 Switzerland Young Boys
3MF Samuel Moutoussamy (1996-08-12) 12 August 1996 (age 28) 42 0 Turkey Sivasspor
3MF Théo Bongonda (1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 (age 29) 25 4 Russia Spartak Moscow
3MF Edo Kayembe (1998-08-03) 3 August 1998 (age 26) 26 2 England Watford
3MF Charles Pickel (1997-05-15) 15 May 1997 (age 28) 19 0 Italy Cremonese
3MF Silas Katompa Mvumpa (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26) 17 1 Serbia Red Star Belgrade
3MF William Balikwisha (1999-05-12) 12 May 1999 (age 26) 6 0 Belgium OH Leuven
3MF Noah Sadiki (2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Belgium Union Saint-Gilloise
3MF Nathanaël Mbuku (2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 23) 3 0 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb
3MF Ngal'ayel Mukau (2004-11-03) 3 November 2004 (age 20) 2 0 France Lille
3MF Oscar Kabwit (2005-05-05) 5 May 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Mazembe
4FW Fiston Mayele (1994-06-24) 24 June 1994 (age 30) 21 4 Egypt Pyramids
4FW Simon Banza (1996-08-13) 13 August 1996 (age 28) 10 0 Portugal Braga
4FW Samuel Essende (1998-01-30) 30 January 1998 (age 27) 6 0 Germany FC Augsburg

Other Players Called Up Recently

These players have also been called up for DR Congo in the last year. They can still play for the team.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Brudel Efonge (1999-05-29) 29 May 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Maniema v.  Tanzania, 15 October 2024
GK Esdras Kabamba (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Angola Bravos do Maquis v.  Togo, 9 June 2024
GK Baggio Siadi (1997-07-21) 21 July 1997 (age 27) 4 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Mazembe 2023 AFCON
DF Axel Tuanzebe (1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 27) 3 0 England Ipswich Town v.  Tanzania, 10 October 2024 PRE
DF Brian Bayeye (2000-06-30) 30 June 2000 (age 24) 3 0 Italy Torino 2023 AFCON
DF Ngonda Muzinga (1994-12-31) 31 December 1994 (age 30) 24 0 Latvia Riga 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Merveille Bokadi (1996-05-21) 21 May 1996 (age 29) 22 1 Belgium Standard Liège 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Dieumerci Amale (1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 26) 18 0 Morocco Difaâ El Jadidi 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Jordan Ikoko (1994-02-03) 3 February 1994 (age 31) 9 0 Cyprus Pafos 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Vital N'Simba (1993-07-08) 8 July 1993 (age 31) 2 0 France Bordeaux 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Arsène Zola (1996-02-23) 23 February 1996 (age 29) 1 0 Morocco Wydad Casablanca 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Gaël Kakuta (1991-06-21) 21 June 1991 (age 33) 27 3 Iran Esteghlal v.  Guinea, 16 November 2024 PRE
MF Chadrac Akolo (1995-04-01) 1 April 1995 (age 30) 26 2 Switzerland St. Gallen v.  Tanzania, 10 October 2024 PRE
MF Aaron Tshibola (1995-01-25) 25 January 1995 (age 30) 14 1 United Arab Emirates Hatta v.  Togo, 9 June 2024
MF Grady Diangana (1998-04-19) 19 April 1998 (age 27) 5 0 England West Bromwich Albion v.  Togo, 9 June 2024
MF Omenuke Mfulu (1994-03-20) 20 March 1994 (age 31) 7 0 Spain Las Palmas 2023 AFCON
MF Neeskens Kebano (1992-03-10) 10 March 1992 (age 33) 35 6 United Arab Emirates Al Jazira 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Makabi Lilepo (1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27) 7 0 France Valenciennes 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (1994-03-22) 22 March 1994 (age 31) 3 0 England Lutland 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Arnaud Lusamba (1997-01-04) 4 January 1997 (age 28) 2 0 Turkey Pendikspor 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Jonathan Okita (1996-10-05) 5 October 1996 (age 28) 2 0 Switzerland Zürich 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Yoane Wissa (1996-09-03) 3 September 1996 (age 28) 28 5 England Brentford v.  Guinea, 16 November 2024 PRE
FW Cédric Bakambu (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 34) 54 16 Spain Real Betis 2023 AFCON
FW Jonathan Bolingi (1994-06-30) 30 June 1994 (age 30) 34 9 Serbia Vojvodina 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Ben Malango (1993-11-10) 10 November 1993 (age 31) 21 6 Qatar Qatar SC 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Jackson Muleka (1999-10-04) 4 October 1999 (age 25) 14 1 Turkey Beşiktaş 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Aldo Kalulu (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 29) 5 0 Serbia Partizan 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Gaëtan Laura (1995-08-06) 6 August 1995 (age 29) 0 0 Turkey Samsunspor 2023 AFCON 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.

Team Records

Players in bold are still playing for DR Congo.

Most Games Played

24BBRW - 53535940590 (cropped)
Chancel Mbemba is DR Congo's most capped player with 89 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Years Played
1 Chancel Mbemba 89 6 2012–present
2 Issama Mpeko 81 2 2011–2023
3 Robert Kidiaba 64 0 2002–2015
4 Cédric Bakambu 54 16 2015–present
5 Zola Matumona 53 9 2002–2014
Trésor Mputu 53 14 2004–2021
7 Joël Kimwaki 52 3 2009–2016
8 Yannick Bolasie 50 9 2013–2022
Marcel Mbayo 50 4 1996–2011
Meschak Elia 50 11 2016–present

Top Goal Scorers

Dieumerci Mbokani 2013
Dieumerci Mbokani is DR Congo's top scorer with 22 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Goals per Game Years Played
1 Dieumerci Mbokani 22 49 0.45 2005–2022
2 Cédric Bakambu 16 54 0.3 2015–present
3 Shabani Nonda 14 22 0.64 2000–2008
Trésor Mputu 14 53 0.26 2004–2021
5 Jean-Jacques Yemweni 12 16 0.75 2000–2007
6 Ngoy Kabongo 11 22 0.5 1981–1991
Meschak Elia 11 50 0.22 2016–present
8 Ndaye Mulamba 10 20 0.5 1973–1976
9 Kakoko Etepé 9 31 0.29 1970–1976
Dioko Kaluyituka 9 31 0.29 2004–2013
Jonathan Bolingi 9 34 0.26 2014–2022
Ndombe Mubele 9 45 0.2 2013–2018
Yannick Bolasie 9 50 0.18 2013–2022
Zola Matumona 9 53 0.17 2002–2014

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

See also: DR Congo at the FIFA World Cup

The DR Congo team has played in the FIFA World Cup once. This was in 1974 when they were known as Zaire. They were the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to reach this big tournament.

FIFA World Cup Record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1930 to 1962 Not a FIFA member
England 1966 Did not enter
Mexico 1970 Entry not accepted by FIFA
West Germany 1974 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 0 14
Argentina 1978 Withdrew
Spain 1982 Did not qualify
Mexico 1986 Banned
Italy 1990 Did not qualify
United States 1994
France 1998
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify
Germany 2006
South Africa 2010
Brazil 2014
Russia 2018
Qatar 2022
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total Group stage 1/15 3 0 0 3 0 14

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations

The DR Congo team has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice! They won in 1968 and 1974. They have also finished in third place two times.

Africa Cup of Nations Record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Part of Belgium
Egypt 1959
Ethiopia 1962 Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 2 8
Ethiopia 1968 Champions 1st 5 4 0 1 10 2
Sudan 1970 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 5
Cameroon 1972 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 9 11
Egypt 1974 Champions 1st 6 4 1 1 14 8
Ethiopia 1976 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 3 6
Ghana 1978 Did not enter
Nigeria 1980 Did not qualify
Libya 1982
Ivory Coast 1984 Withdrew
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify
Morocco 1988 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 2 3
Algeria 1990 Did not qualify
Senegal 1992 Quarter-finals 6th 3 0 2 1 2 3
Tunisia 1994 Quarter-finals 7th 3 1 1 1 2 3
South Africa 1996 Quarter-finals 8th 3 1 0 2 2 3
Burkina Faso 1998 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 10 9
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Group stage 12th 3 0 2 1 0 1
Mali 2002 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 1 2 3 4
Tunisia 2004 Group stage 15th 3 0 0 3 1 6
Egypt 2006 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 3 6
Ghana 2008 Did not qualify
Angola 2010
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012
South Africa 2013 Group stage 10th 3 0 3 0 3 3
Equatorial Guinea 2015 Third place 3rd 6 1 4 1 7 7
Gabon 2017 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 1 1 7 5
Egypt 2019 Round of 16 14th 4 1 1 2 6 6
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 2023 Fourth place 4th 7 1 5 1 6 5
Morocco 2025 Qualified
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined
2029
Total 2 Titles 20/34 80 21 29 30 94 104

African Nations Championship

The DR Congo team has won the African Nations Championship twice. They won in 2009 and again in 2016. This tournament is special because only players who play in their home country's leagues can participate.

African Nations Championship Record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Final Winners 5 3 1 1 7 5
Sudan 2011 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 3 5
South Africa 2014 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 3 3
Rwanda 2016 Final Winners 6 4 1 1 14 7
Morocco 2018 Did not qualify
Cameroon 2020 Quarter-finals 4 2 1 1 5 4
Algeria 2022 Group stage 3 0 2 1 0 3
Total 2 titles 5/6 23 12 4 7 32 24

African Games

See also: DR Congo national under-23 football team and DR Congo national under-20 football team

The DR Congo team has also competed in the African Games. They won a gold medal in 1981.

African Games Record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Republic of the Congo 1965 5th 5 3 1 1 20 8
1973-1987 Did not enter
Total 1/4 5 3 1 1 20 8

Team Achievements

Continental Titles

  • CAF African Cup of Nations
    • Coppa Africa.svg Champions (2): 1968, 1974
    • Bronze medal africa.svg Third place (2): 1998, 2015
  • CAF African Nations Championship
    • Gold medal africa.svg Champions (2): 2009, 2016

Regional Titles

  • Central African Games
    • Med 1.png Gold medal (1): 1981

Summary of Wins

Senior Competitions 1 2 3 Total
CAF African Cup of Nations 2 0 2 4
CAF African Nations Championship 2 0 0 2
Total 4 0 2 6

Images for kids

  • Bundesarchiv Bild 183-N0622-0031, Fußball-WM, Zaire - Brasilien 0-3

    Zaire playing against Brazil in the 1974 World Cup.

  • Bundesarchiv Bild 183-N0614-0028, Fußball-WM, Zaire - Schottland 0-2

    Zaire playing against Scotland in the 1974 World Cup.

See also

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

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