Congo national football team

The Congo national football team (French: Équipe de football du Congo) 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).

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
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Diables Rouges
(The Red Devils)
AssociationFédération Congolaise de Football (FECOFOOT)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coachPaul Put
CaptainAmour Loussoukou
Most capsJonas Bahamboula
Delvin N'Dinga (56)
Top scorerThievy Bifouma (15)
Home stadiumStade Municipal de Kintélé
Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
FIFA codeCGO
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 107 Decrease 1 (21 September 2023)[1]
Highest42 (September 2015)
Lowest144 (September 2011)
First international
France French Congo 5–1 Cameroon France
(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

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
9 January Friendly Congo  0–1  Senegal Tabarka, Tunisia
12:00 CET (UTC+1) Report
  • Camara 5'
 Stadium: La Cigale Sport Complex
23 March 2023 AFCON qualification Congo  1–2  South Sudan Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
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)
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Zambia  v  Congo
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Eritrea  v  Congo

2024
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 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Gambia on 10 September 2023.[4]

Caps and goals are correct as of 10 September 2023, after the match against Gambia.[5]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
16 1GK Pavelh Ndzila (1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 19 0 Rwanda APR
1 1GK Wolfrigon Mongondza (1990-04-08) 8 April 1990 2 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs
23 1GK Giscard Mavoungou (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 0 0 Republic of the Congo Otôho
20 2DF Bradley Mazikou (1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 8 0 Switzerland Servette
14 2DF Yhoan Andzouana (1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 7 0 Slovakia Dunajská Streda
5 2DF Ryan Bidounga (1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 6 0 Bulgaria FC CSKA 1948 Sofia
6 2DF Fred Dembi (1995-02-21) 21 February 1995 5 1 France Red Star
15 2DF Francis Nzaba (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 3 0 Georgia (country) Dinamo Tbilisi
4 2DF Faria Jobel Ondongo (1996-06-19) 19 June 1996 3 0 Republic of the Congo Otôho
-- 2DF Bryan Passi (1997-08-05) 5 August 1997 3 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv
2 2DF Morgan Poaty (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 4 0 Switzerland Lausanne-Sport
24 2DF Messie Biatoumoussoka (1998-06-05) 5 June 1998 2 0 Morocco AS FAR
10 3MF Thievy Bifouma (1992-05-13) 13 May 1992 41 16 Greece A.E. Kifisia
18 3MF Harvy Ossété (1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 28 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Saint-Éloi
7 3MF Gaius Makouta (1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 17 2 Portugal Boavista
12 3MF Antoine Makoumbou (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 15 1 Italy Cagliari
8 3MF Warren Tchimbembé (1998-04-21) 21 April 1998 2 0 France Guingamp
-- 3MF Will Hondermarck (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 0 0 England Northampton
11 4FW Prestige Mboungou (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 24 2 United Arab Emirates Ajman
19 4FW Guy Mbenza (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 21 5 Qatar Muaither SC
3 4FW Silvère Ganvoula (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 15 4 Switzerland Young Boys
21 4FW Béni Makouana (1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 13 0 Ukraine Polissya Zhytomyr
13 4FW Mavis Tchibota (1996-05-07) 7 May 1996 10 0 Israel Hapoel Tel Aviv
-- 4FW Gabriel Charpentier (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 2 1 Italy Parma
9 4FW Alain Ipiélé (1997-08-20) 20 August 1997 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 Chris Guelor Bissila (2003-12-10) 10 December 2003 0 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
GK Chill Ngakosso (1994-07-26) 26 July 1994 0 0 Republic of the Congo ACNFF v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
GK Christoffer Mafoumbi (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 37 0 Luxembourg Differdange v.  Mali, 18 June 2023 INJ
GK Marly Prince Koubassanath (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 1 0 Kosovo Vushtrria v.  South Sudan, 27 March 2023
DF Varel Rozan (1999-09-09) 9 September 1999 21 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Vita Club v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
DF Raddy Ovouka (1999-12-07) 7 December 1999 9 0 Kosovo Drita v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
DF Ramaric Etou (1995-01-25) 25 January 1995 4 0 Georgia (country) Dila Gori v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
DF Roussel Ngoulou M'Bani (2003-08-16) 16 August 2003 0 0 Republic of the Congo Étoile du Congo v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
DF Fernand Mayembo (1996-01-09) 9 January 1996 18 0 Israel Hapoel Haifa v.  South Sudan, 27 March 2023
DF Nolan Mbemba (1995-02-19) 19 February 1995 8 0 France Le Havre v.  South Sudan, 27 March 2023
DF Djigo Saikou (2004-11-20) 20 November 2004 0 0 Republic of the Congo Leopards v.  South Sudan, 27 March 2023
MF Chandrel Massanga (1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 8 0 Albania Partizani v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
MF Nsana Simon (2000-03-11) 11 March 2000 0 0 Slovenia NK Bravo v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
MF Durel Avounou (1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 23 0 Romania CFR Cluj v.  South Sudan, 27 March 2023
FW Prince Ibara (1996-02-07) 7 February 1996 16 4 India Bengaluru v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Mons Bassouamina (1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 4 0 France Pau v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Chance Mondzenga (2001-05-10) 10 May 2001 1 0 Tunisia Métlaoui v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Christ Toulouenga (2005-08-24) 24 August 2005 1 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Domi Massoumou (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 0 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs v.  Mali, 18 June 2023
FW Bevic Moussiti-Oko (1995-01-28) 28 January 1995 7 0 France Ajaccio v.  Mali, 18 June 2023 INJ
FW Yann Mabella (1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 7 0 Belgium Virton v.  South Sudan, 27 March 2023
FW Déo Bassinga (2005-08-11) 11 August 2005 6 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs v.  South Sudan, 27 March 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 10 September 2023[6]
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
1Jonas Bahamboula56131969–1982
Delvin N'Dinga5612008–2021
3Destin Makita5512001–2013
4Barel Mouko5112004–2018
5Magnoléké Bissiki4502012–2021
6Oscar Ewolo4422000–2013
7Prince Oniangué4382008–2019
8Thievy Bifouma41162014–present
Francis N'Ganga4132008–2017
10Brice Samba3801990–2001

Top goalscorers
Thievy Bifouma is Congo's top scorer with 16 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Thievy Bifouma16410.392014–present
2Jonas Bahamboula13560.231969–1982
3François M'Pelé12290.411971–1978
4Paul Moukila11310.351970–1978
5Anges Ngapy10330.31984–1993
Férébory Doré10370.272010–2017
7Jean-Jacques N'Domba8350.231974–1992
Prince Oniangué8430.192008–2019
9Kader Bidimbou5130.382014–present
Guy Mbenza5210.242017–present
Hardy Binguila5250.22013–present
Rolf-Christel Guié-Mien5250.21996–2008
Fabrice Ondama5370.142006–2017

Competition records

FIFA World Cup record
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of  France Part of  France
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Played as  Congo-Brazzaville Played as  Congo-Brazzaville
Chile 1962 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
England 1966 Entry not accepted by FIFA Entry not accepted by FIFA
Played as  People's Republic of the Congo Played 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
Played as  Republic of the Congo Played 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 to be determined
Total 0/22 68 21 16 31 79 88

Africa Cup of Nations record
Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957Part of  France
United Arab Republic 1959
Played as  Congo-Brazzaville
Ethiopia 1962Not 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 to be determined
Total 1 Title 7/33 26 7 8 11 27 37

African Games
African Games record
YearResultMWDLGFGA
Republic of the Congo 19651st place
Nigeria 19736th place
Total2/4

Achievements
CEMAC Cup:
  • 1 Time Champions (2007)
UDEAC Championship:
  • 1 Time Champions (1990)
  • 2 Times Runners-up
Central African Games:
  • 2 Times Runners-up

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. "World Football Elo Ratings". www.eloratings.net. 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.
  4. "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  5. "Gambia vs. Congo - 10 September 2023 - SOCCERWAY".
  6. Mamrud, Roberto. "Congo-Brazzaville – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
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