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.

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).

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	132 6 (10 July 2025)[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)

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.

In February 2025 Congo was suspended from international competitions by FIFA due to "third-party interference" in FECOFOOT - Congolese football's governing body.^[4]

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

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[a]	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 Armindo Alvação (Mozambique)

Uganda  v  Congo

9 September 2024 (2024-09-09) 2025 AFCON qualification	Uganda	2–0	Congo	Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3	Kayondo 21' Ssemugabi 85'	Report		Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Attendance: 38,000 Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)

South Africa  v  Congo

11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) 2025 AFCON qualification	South Africa	5–0	Congo	Gqeberha, South Africa
20:00 UTC+2	Mokoena 12', 27' Aubaas 37' Foster 52' Rayners 78'	Report		Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

Congo  v  South Africa

15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) 2025 AFCON qualification	Congo	1–1	South Africa	Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1	Bassouamina 45+3'	Report	Mokwana 33'	Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat Referee: Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)

South Sudan  v  Congo

14 November 2024 (2024-11-14) 2025 AFCON qualification	South Sudan	3–2	Congo	Juba, South Sudan
14:00 UTC+2	Ezibon 31', 45+2' Elly 84'	Report	Ibayi 26', 35'	Stadium: Juba Stadium Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

Congo  v  Uganda

19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 AFCON qualification	Congo	0–1	Uganda	Brazzaville, Congo
13:00 UTC+1		Report	Mutyaba 55'	Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)

2025

Tanzania  v  Congo

17 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Tanzania

3–0 Awarded[b]

Congo

TBD, Tanzania

Congo  v  Zambia

24 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Congo

0–3 Awarded[c]

Zambia

TBD, Congo

Congo  v  Tanzania

1 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Congo

v

Tanzania

TBD, Congo

Congo  v  Eritrea

8 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Congo

Canceled

Eritrea

TBD, Congo

Niger  v  Congo

6 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Niger

v

Congo

TBD, Niger

Morocco  v  Congo

13 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Morocco

v

Congo

TBD, Morocco

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Isaac Ngata
Assistant coaches	Moïse Mavundza Henri Nganga
Goalkeeping coach	Gérald Mbandaka
Fitness coach	Formose Kimbuta
Match analyst	François Mpanga
Doctors	Dr. Stéphane Mavungu Dr. Gervais Tchibinda
Physiotherapists	Aurélien Kimpembe Maurice Mvoungou Loïc Kimbela Jérôme Tchuka
Team coordinator	Hervé Ngolo
Technical director	Maxime Nzassi

Coaching history

• 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, 2001)
• David Mémy (1997–1998)
• Alain Nestor Ngouinda (1998–1999)
• David Mémy (1999–2000)
• Camille Ngakosso (2000)
• Gaston Tchangana (2001, 2005–2006, 2007–2008)
• 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)
• Noël Tosi (2006–2007)
• Ivica Todorov (2008–2010)
• Robert Corfou (2010–2011)
• Camille Ngakosso (2011)
• Jean-Guy Wallemme (2011–2012)
• Kamel Djabour (2012–2013)
• Claude Le Roy (2013–2015)
• Pierre Lechantre (2016)
• Barthélémy Ngatsono (2016–2017)
• Sébastien Migné (2017–2018)
• 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 14 and 19 November 2024 respectively.^{[citation needed]}

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 24)	4	0	Fleury 91
	1GK	Marly Prince Heritier	(1999-04-10) 10 April 1999 (age 26)	1	0	Feronikeli 74
	1GK	Chelcy Bonazebi	(2006-05-18) 18 May 2006 (age 19)	0	0	CARA Brazzaville
	1GK	David Opoundja	(1998-04-03) 3 April 1998 (age 27)	0	0	Celeste
	2DF	Ryan Bidounga	(1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 28)	10	0	CSKA 1948
	2DF	Bryan Passi	(1997-08-05) 5 August 1997 (age 28)	10	0	Mafra
	2DF	Morgan Poaty	(1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 28)	10	0	Lausanne-Sport
	2DF	Ramaric Etou	(1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 (age 30)	7	0	Dila Gori
	2DF	Loïs Fauriel	(2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 23)	3	0	Doxa Katokopias
	2DF	Christ Makosso	(2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Sochaux
	2DF	Janard Berlohd Mbemba	(2002-03-06) 6 March 2002 (age 23)	3	0	Diables Noirs
	3MF	Harvy Ossété	(1999-08-18) 18 August 1999 (age 26)	31	0	Saint-Éloi Lupopo
	3MF	Merveil Ndockyt	(1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 (age 27)	27	1	Gorica
	3MF	Gaius Makouta	(1997-07-25) 25 July 1997 (age 28)	24	2	Boavista
	3MF	Fred Dembi	(1995-02-21) 21 February 1995 (age 30)	12	1	Red Star
	3MF	Chandrel Massanga	(1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 26)	12	1	Hatayspor
	3MF	Nolan Mbemba	(1995-02-19) 19 February 1995 (age 30)	10	0	Grenoble
	3MF	Glid Otanga	(2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 25)	1	0	Bnei Sakhnin
	4FW	Prestige Mboungou	(2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 (age 25)	31	2	TSC
	4FW	Silvère Ganvoula	(1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 29)	24	6	Monza
	4FW	Mons Bassouamina	(1998-05-28) 28 May 1998 (age 27)	13	2	Pau
	4FW	Yann Mabella	(1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 (age 29)	8	0	RFCU Union
	4FW	Christopher Ibayi	(1995-07-18) 18 July 1995 (age 30)	3	2	Rouen
	4FW	Jason Bahamboula	(2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 24)	2	0	HFX Wanderers
	4FW	Archange Bintsouka	(2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Partizani
	4FW	Elie Andzouono	(2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Diables Noirs
	4FW	Beni Namboka	unknown	1	0	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 31)	38	0	Floriana	v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024
GK	Pavelh Ndzila	(1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 30)	21	0	APR	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
GK	Owen-Césaire Matimbou	(2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 23)	2	0	Orleans	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
GK	Melvin Zinga	(2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Anger	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
GK	Melvin Douniama	(2003-02-26) 26 February 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Paris FC B	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
GK	Cristophe Wamba	(2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Étoile du Congo	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF	Yhoan Andzouana	(1996-12-13) 13 December 1996 (age 28)	14	0	DAC	v.  South Sudan, 14 November 2024 PRE
DF	Francis Nzaba	(2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 23)	3	0	İstanbul Başakşehir	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
DF	Kévin Mouanga	(2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 25)	0	0	Annecy	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
DF	Ravy Tsouka	(1994-12-23) 23 December 1994 (age 30)	20	0	AEL Limassol	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF	Vladis Illoy	(1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 (age 29)	3	1	Ural Yekaterinburg	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF	Loick Ayina	(2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Ross County	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF	Mark Mampassi	(2003-03-12) 12 March 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Kortrijk	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
DF	Erving Botaka	(1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Arsenal Tula	v.  Gabon, 26 March 2024
DF	Brayann Pereira	(2003-05-21) 21 May 2003 (age 22)	0	0	NEC	v.  Gabon, 26 March 2024
MF	Raviere Otanga	(2000-08-14) 14 August 2000 (age 25)	3	0	Hearts of Oak	v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024
MF	Antoine Makoumbou	(1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 27)	19	1	Cagliari	v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024 PRE
MF	Brunallergene Etou	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 31)	1	0	Pittsburgh RH	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
MF	Will Hondermarck	(2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 24)	1	0	Northampton Town	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
MF	Rabby Nzingoula	(2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Strasbourg	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
MF	Durel Avounou	(1997-09-25) 25 September 1997 (age 27)	23	0	CFR Cluj	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
MF	Tsomou Likibi	(1987-01-24) 24 January 1987 (age 38)	2	1	Inter Club	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
MF	Dylan Bahamboula	(1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 30)	12	0	Busaiteen Club	v.  Gabon, 26 March 2024
FW	Josna Loulendo	(2004-01-15) 15 January 2004 (age 21)	2	0	Al Ain	v.  South Africa, 11 October 2024
FW	Prince Ibara	(1996-02-07) 7 February 1996 (age 29)	21	4	Khenchela	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
FW	Béni Makouana	(1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 (age 25)	15	0	LNZ Cherkasy	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
FW	Gabriel Charpentier	(1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 26)	3	1	Parma	v.  Uganda, 9 September 2024
FW	Alain Ipiélé	(1997-08-20) 20 August 1997 (age 28)	1	0	Martigues	v.  Morocco, 12 June 2024
FW	Inno Loemba	(2004-08-04) 4 August 2004 (age 21)	1	0	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

As of 19 November 2024^[8]

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	Christoffer Mafoumbi	38	0	2012–present
	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
	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 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	2	3
1978										4	1	1	2	7	8
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	Suspended									3	0	0	3	2	13
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total		0/15								71	21	16	34	77	105

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
2027	To be determined
2029
Total	1 Title	7/35	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

Honours

Continental

• CAF African Cup of Nations
  • Champions (1): 1972
• African Games¹
  • Gold medal (1): 1965

Regional

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

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

Summary

Senior Competitions				Total
CAF African Cup of Nations	1	0	0	1
Total	1	0	0	1

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.^[5]
2. Tanzania were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit due to Congo's suspension by FIFA on 6 February for government interference in Congolese Football Federation operations. The suspension was lifted on 14 May 2025.^[6][7]
3. Zambia were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit due to Congo's suspension by FIFA on 6 February for government interference in Congolese Football Federation operations. The suspension was lifted on 14 May 2025.^[6][7]