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

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	118 5 (18 July 2024) [1]
Highest	42 (September 2015)
Lowest	144 (September 2011)
First international
French Congo 5–1 Cameroon (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
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. ^[3] 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

2023

Zambia   v   Congo

17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Zambia	4–2	Congo	Ndola, Zambia
18:00  UTC+2	Daka 5', 90+2' Banda 43' F. Sakala 69'	Report	Ganvoula 13' Bassouamina 15'	Stadium: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee: Mahmoud El Banna (Egypt)

2024

Gabon   v   Congo

25 March Friendly	Gabon	1–1	Congo	Chambly, France
20:30	Lemina 42'	Report	Ganvoula 73'	Stadium: Stade des Marais

Congo   v   Niger

6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Congo	0–3 Awarded [lower-alpha 1]	Niger	Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00  UTC+1		Report		Stadium: Stade des Martyrs

Congo   v   Morocco

11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Congo	0–6	Morocco	Agadir, Morocco
17:00  UTC+1		Report	Ounahi 8' Riad 16' El Kaabi 30', 39', 53' Rahimi 62'	Stadium: Adrar Stadium Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)

Congo   v   South Sudan

5 September 2024 (2024-09-05) 2025 AFCON qualification	Congo	1–0	South Sudan	Brazzaville, Congo
17:00  UTC+1	Massanga 12'	Report		Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)

Uganda   v   Congo

8 September 2024 (2024-09-08) 2025 AFCON qualification	Uganda	1–0	Congo	Kampala, Uganda
19:00  UTC+3	Kayondo 21' Ssemugabi 85'	Report		Stadium: Mandela National Stadium

South Africa   v   Congo

6 October 2024 (2024-10-06) 2025 AFCON qualification	South Africa	v	Congo
--:--

Congo   v   South Africa

14 October 2024 (2024-10-14) 2025 AFCON qualification	Congo	v	South Africa	Brazzaville, Congo
--:--				Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat

South Sudan   v   Congo

10 November 2024 (2024-11-10) 2025 AFCON qualification	South Sudan	v	Congo	Juba, South Sudan
--:--				Stadium: Juba Stadium

Congo   v   Uganda

18 November 2024 (2024-11-18) 2025 AFCON qualification	Congo	v	Uganda	Brazzaville, Congo
--:--				Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat

2025

Tanzania   v   Congo

March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Tanzania

v

Congo

TBD, Tanzania

Congo   v   Zambia

March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Congo

v

Zambia

TBD, Congo

Congo   v   Tanzania

September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Congo

v

Tanzania

TBD, Congo

Congo   v   Eritrea

September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Congo

v

Eritrea

TBD, Congo

Niger   v   Congo

October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Niger

v

Congo

TBD, Niger

Morocco   v   Congo

October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Morocco

v

Congo

TBD, Morocco

Coaches

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

Players

Current squad

The following players were called-up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against South Sudan and Uganda on 5 and 8 September 2024 respectively. ^[5]

Caps and goals are correct as of 9 September 2024, after the match against Uganda. ^[6]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1 GK	Christoffer Mafoumbi	(1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 (age 30)	37	0	Floriana
	1 GK	Pavelh Ndzila	(1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 29)	21	0	APR
	1 GK	Owen-Césaire Matimbou	(2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Orleans
	1 GK	Melvin Zinga	(2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Anger
	2 DF	Yhoan Andzouana	(1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 (age 27)	12	0	DAC Dunajská Streda
	2 DF	Ryan Bidounga	(1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 27)	8	0	FC CSKA 1948 Sofia
	2 DF	Bryan Passi	(1997-08-05) 5 August 1997 (age 27)	8	0	Mafra
	2 DF	Morgan Poaty	(1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 27)	7	0	Lausanne-Sport
	2 DF	Ramaric Etou	(1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 (age 29)	5	0	Dila Gori
	2 DF	Francis Nzaba	(2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 22)	3	0	Başakşehir
	2 DF	Christ Makosso	(2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Sochaux
	2 DF	Kévin Mouanga	(2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Annecy
	3 MF	Prestige Mboungou	(2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 24)	27	2	FK TSC
	3 MF	Merveil Ndockyt	(1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 26)	23	1	HNK Gorica
	3 MF	Antoine Makoumbou	(1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 26)	19	1	Cagliari
	3 MF	Chandrel Massanga	(1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 25)	12	1	Hatayspor
	3 MF	Fred Dembi	(1995-02-21) 21 February 1995 (age 29)	10	1	Red Star
	3 MF	Raviere Otanga	(2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 24)	2	0	Hearts of Oak
	3 MF	Elie Andzouono	(2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Diables Noirs
	3 MF	Brunallergene Junior Etou	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30)	1	0	Pittsburgh Riverhounds
	3 MF	Will Hondermarck	(2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 23)	1	0	Northampton Town
	3 MF	Rabby Nzingoula	(2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 18)	0	0	Strasbourg
	4 FW	Prince Ibara	(1996-02-07) 7 February 1996 (age 28)	21	4	Khenchela
	4 FW	Silvère Ganvoula	(1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 28)	20	6	Young Boys
	4 FW	Béni Makouana	(1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 (age 24)	15	0	Polissya Zhytomyr
	4 FW	Mons Bassouamina	(1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 26)	9	1	Pau
	4 FW	Gabriel Charpentier	(1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 25)	3	1	Parma
	4 FW	Archange Bintsouka	(2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Partizani

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	Trey Vimalin	(2001-01-28) 28 January 2001 (age 23)	1	0	Fleury 91	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
GK	Melvin Douniama	(2003-02-26) 26 February 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Paris FC Youth	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
GK	Cristophe Wamba	(2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 20)	0	0	Unknown	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
GK	Wolfrigon Mongondza	(1990-04-08) 8 April 1990 (age 34)	3	0	Diables Noirs	v.   Zambia , 17 November 2023
DF	Ravy Tsouka	(1994-12-23) 23 December 1994 (age 29)	20	0	AEL Limassol	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
DF	Vladis-Emmerson Illoy-Ayyet	(1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 (age 28)	3	1	Ural Yekaterinburg	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
DF	Loick Ayina	(2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Ross County	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
DF	Mark Mampassi	(2003-03-12) 12 March 2003 (age 21)	0	0	K.V. Kortrijk	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
DF	Erving Botaka	(1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Arsenal Tula	v.   Gabon , 26 March 2024
DF	Brayann Pereira	(2003-05-21) 21 May 2003 (age 21)	0	0	NEC	v.   Gabon , 26 March 2024
DF	Julfin Ondongo	(1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 (age 27)	11	0	Almurooj	v.   Zambia , 17 November 2023
DF	Bradley Mazikou	(1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 (age 28)	9	0	Servette	v.   Zambia , 17 November 2023
MF	Durel Avounou	(1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 (age 26)	23	0	CFR Cluj	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
MF	Gaius Makouta	(1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 27)	20	2	Boavista	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
MF	Tsomou Likibi	(1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 37)	2	1	Unknown	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
MF	Dylan Bahamboula	(1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 29)	12	0	Busaiteen Club	v.   Gabon , 26 March 2024
MF	Thievy Bifouma	(1992-05-13) 13 May 1992 (age 32)	41	16	Esteghlal Khuzestan	v.   Zambia , 17 November 2023 INJ
FW	Jason Bahamboula	(2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23)	1	0	Valmiera	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
FW	Alain Ipiélé	(1997-08-20) 20 August 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Martigues	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
FW	Inno Loemba	(2004-08-04) 4 August 2004 (age 20)	1	0	Otoho	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
FW	Christopher Ibayi	(1995-07-18) 18 July 1995 (age 29)	0	0	Rouen	v.   Morocco , 12 June 2024
FW	Domi Massoumou	(2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 (age 21)	1	0	Diables Noirs	v.   Zambia , 17 November 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

As of 11 June 2024 ^[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
	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

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
1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966	Entry not accepted by FIFA									Entry not accepted by FIFA
as   People's Republic of the Congo
1970	Did not enter									Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	3	2
1978										4	1	1	2	10	5
1982	Did not enter									Did not enter
1986
1990
as   Republic of the Congo
1994	Did not qualify									4	0	0	4	0	5
1998										8	4	2	2	8	6
2002										10	3	2	5	10	17
2006										12	4	2	6	12	15
2010										6	3	0	3	7	8
2014										8	4	3	1	13	4
2018										8	2	2	4	11	16
2022										6	0	3	3	5	10
2026	To be determined									2	0	0	2	2	10
2030										To be determined
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
1957	Part of   France
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
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015	Quarter-finals	5th	4	2	1	1	6	6
2017	Did not qualify
2019
2021
2023
2025	To be determined
2027
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
1965	Gold	5	3	1	1	11	5
1973	6th	3	1	0	2	5	8
Total	2/4	8	4	1	3	16	13

Achievements

Continental

Africa Cup of Nations

• Winners: 1972

Football at the African Games

• Gold medalists: 1965

Regional

CEMAC Cup:

• Winners: 2007

UDEAC Championship:

• Winners: 1990

Notes

1. Niger were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit after Congo refused to travel to DR Congo for their home match on 6 June, insisting that they play in Brazzaville. ^[4]

References

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. "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. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1032664435534328&set=a.542818184518958 ^{[ bare URL ]}
6. https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/09/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/uganda/congo/4406442//
7. Mamrud, Roberto. "Congo-Brazzaville – Record International Players". RSSSF . Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2018.

External links

• Official website
• Official Facebook Profile
• Congo at CAF
• Congo at FIFA