DR Congo national football team

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DR Congo
Nickname(s) The Leopards
Association Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA)
Sub-confederation UNIFFAC
(Central Africa)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Head coach Florent Ibengé
Captain Youssuf Mulumbu
Home stadium Stade des Martyrs
FIFA code COD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 55 Increase 5 (5 November 2015)
Highest 46 (February 2015)
Lowest 133 (October 2011)
First international
Belgian Congo 3–2 Northern Rhodesia 
(Belgian Congo; 1948)
World Cup
Appearances 1 (First in 1974)
Best result First round, 1974
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 15 (First in 1965)
Best result Winners: 1968 & 1974

The Democratic Republic of the Congo national football team (formerly the Zaire national football team) is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA). They are nicknamed the Leopards.[1]

DR Congo have been ranked as high as 46 in the FIFA Rankings. As Zaire they were the first Sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and twice won the Africa Cup of Nations.

History

Early history

The Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA) was founded in 1919 when the country was not independent. The team played their first game in 1948 as Belgian Congo against Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. The team recorded a 3–2 victory at home. DR Congo has been FIFA affiliated since 1962 and has been a member of CAF since 1963. The team's first official match was on the 11 April 1963, against Mauritania in the L'Amitié Tournament played in Dakar, Senegal. DR Congo won the match 6–0.[2]

Glory period

The Democratic Republic of the Congo had its first international success at the 1968 African Cup of Nations held in Ethiopia, beating Ghana 1–0 in the final. The team's biggest ever win came on 22 November 1969 when they recorded a 10–1 home victory against Zambia. From 1971 to 1997 the country, and therefore the team, was known as Zaire. Their first game as Zaire was played in Cameroon against Sudan. Sudan won this game 3–0. Six years later Zaire won the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The team recorded a 2–1 victory against Guinea, another 2–1 victory against rivals Congo and a 4–1 victory against Mauritius. These results carried Zaire through to the semi-finals where they beat hosts Egypt 3–2. In the final, Zaire drew with Zambia 2–2. Therefore, the match was replayed two days later, where Zaire won the game 2–0. Zaire player Mulamba Ndaye was top scorer with nine goals, wehich remains a record for the tournament. After this, the team returned to Zaire on the Presidential plane, lent to them by Mobutu Sese Seko.

Zaire were the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in a FIFA World Cup.[3] At the 1974 FIFA World Cup Zaire did not manage to score any goals and lost all of its games. Their 9–0 defeat against Yugoslavia still remains a World Cup record. Facing a free-kick 25 yards out during the 1974 World Cup finals match against Brazil, defender Mwepu Ilunga, upon hearing the referee blow his whistle, ran out of the Zaire wall and kicked the ball upfield, for which he received a yellow card. This was voted the 17th greatest World Cup moment in a Channel 4 poll,[4] though many commentators held it to be an example of African football's "naïvety and indiscipline".[5] However, Ilunga has claimed that he was quite aware of the rules and was hoping to convince the referee to send him off. The intended red card would have been a protest against his country's authorities, who were alleged to be depriving the players of their earnings.[6]

Crisis period

After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the team did not get past the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations not recording a win in the group stages. Morocco went on to win the tournament. From 1978 to 1986, the country did not qualify for any other African Cup of Nations, while withdrawing from qualification for the 1978 FIFA World Cup. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations Zaire finished last in their group despite having 2 draws.

Return to success

From 1992 to 1996, Zaire, reached three consecutive African Cup of Nations quarter-finals. In 1992 and 1994 they were beaten by Nigeria, and in 1996 they were beaten by Ghana. In 1997, their name changed to DR Congo. DR Congo played their first game on the 8 June 1997 in Brazzaville which ended in a 1–0 victory for them. At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo, led by Louis Watunda Iyolo took third place, beating hosts Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties.

At the 2000 African Cup of Nations the team finished 3rd in their group, and in 2002 were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Senegal. Then in 2004 they were eliminated by 3 straight defeats in the group stages. And then in 2006, led by Claude Le Roy, having finished second in the group behind Cameroon, were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Egypt 4–1.

Recent history

DR Congo were drawn in group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, along with Libya, Namibia and Ethiopia. On the penultimate day DR Congo led the group, but drew 1–1 with Libya and Namibia beat Ethiopia 3–2. This sent Namibia through to the Finals, and DR Congo finished in 2nd place. DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2009, DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations, a competition reserved to players in domestic leagues, beating Ghana in the final. DR Congo reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa but were knocked out in the group stages after drawing all three matches. In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo qualified from their group with 3 points and finished 2nd place in the group behind Tunisia, therefore they advanced to the quarter finals to play against their rivals Republic of Congo and they came from two goals down to win 4-2. However, they were knocked out by Ivory Coast who won 3-1 in the semi-finals. They ended up finishing third, beating Equatorial Guinea in penalties, after the third place match went 0-0 in regulation time.

Current squad

The following players were called up to the squad for the friendly game against Madagascar on 14 June 2015.[7]
Caps and goals as of 14 June 2015, after the game against Madagascar.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Parfait Mandanda (1989-10-10) 10 October 1989 (age 34) 12 0 Belgium Charleroi
1GK Mulopo Kudimbana (1987-01-21) 21 January 1987 (age 37) 6 0 Belgium Anderlecht
1GK Joël Kiassumbua (1992-04-06) 6 April 1992 (age 31) 1 0 Switzerland Wohlen

2DF Joël Kimwaki (1986-10-14) 14 October 1986 (age 37) 41 2 Democratic Republic of the Congo Mazembe
2DF Jean Kasusula (1986-08-05) 5 August 1986 (age 37) 41 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Mazembe
2DF Chancel Mbemba Mangulu (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 29) 17 0 England Newcastle United
2DF Gabriel Zakuani (1986-05-31) 31 May 1986 (age 37) 15 0 England Peterborough United
2DF Christopher Oualembo (1987-01-31) 31 January 1987 (age 37) 9 0 Portugal Académica
2DF Chris Mavinga (1991-05-26) 26 May 1991 (age 32) 3 0 France Troyes
2DF Fabrice N'Sakala (1990-07-21) 21 July 1990 (age 33) 2 0 Belgium Anderlecht
2DF Aristote Ndongala (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 30) 1 0 France Nantes

3MF Youssouf Mulumbu (1987-01-25) 25 January 1987 (age 37) 33 1 England Norwich City
3MF Cedrick Mabwati (1992-03-08) 8 March 1992 (age 32) 14 0 United States Columbus Crew
3MF Nzuzi Toko (1990-12-20) 20 December 1990 (age 33) 7 1 Turkey Eskişehirspor
3MF Wilson Kamavuaka (1990-03-29) 29 March 1990 (age 33) 6 0 Austria Sturm Graz
3MF Jacques Maghoma (1987-10-23) 23 October 1987 (age 36) 3 1 England Birmingham
3MF Paul-Jose M'Poku (1992-04-19) 19 April 1992 (age 31) 2 1 Italy Chievo
3MF Michaël Nkololo (1992-11-02) 2 November 1992 (age 31) 1 0 France Clermont
3MF Rémi Mulumba (1992-11-02) 2 November 1992 (age 31) 0 0 France Lorient

4FW Firmin Ndombe Mubele (1994-04-17) 17 April 1994 (age 29) 21 3 Qatar Al Ahli SC
4FW Yannick Bolasie (1989-05-24) 24 May 1989 (age 34) 19 4 England Crystal Palace
4FW Jeremy Bokila (1988-11-14) 14 November 1988 (age 35) 13 5 China Guangzhou R&F
4FW Jordan Botaka (1993-06-24) 24 June 1993 (age 30) 5 2 England Leeds United
4FW Jody Lukoki (1992-11-15) 15 November 1992 (age 31) 2 0 Netherlands PEC Zwolle
4FW Cédric Bakambu (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 32) 1 0 Spain Villareal
4FW John Tshibumbu (1989-06-01) 1 June 1989 (age 34) 1 0 France Gazélec Ajaccio

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the DR Congo squad within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Robert Kidiaba RET (1976-02-01) 1 February 1976 (age 48) 61 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Mazembe 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

DF Bawaka Mabele (1988-06-09) 9 June 1988 (age 35) 6 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Vita Club v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
DF Rudy Makwekwe (1994-07-27) 27 July 1994 (age 29) 1 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Vita Club v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
DF Abel Tamata (1990-12-05) 5 December 1990 (age 33) 1 0 Netherlands Groningen v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
DF Luis Pedro Cavanda BEL (1991-01-02) 2 January 1991 (age 33) 0 0 Turkey Trabzonspor v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
DF Jordan Ikoko (1994-02-03) 3 February 1994 (age 30) 0 0 France Le Havre v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
DF Presnel Kimpembe (1995-08-13) 13 August 1995 (age 28) 0 0 France Paris Saint-Germain B vs. Iraq, March 31, 2015
DF Issama Mpeko (1986-03-03) 3 March 1986 (age 38) 37 1 Angola Kabuscorp 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Cédric Mongongu (1989-06-22) 22 June 1989 (age 34) 35 2 Turkey Eskisehirspor 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

MF Neeskens Kebano (1992-03-10) 10 March 1992 (age 32) 6 1 Belgium Charleroi v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
MF Nelson Munganga (1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 30) 6 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Vita Club v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
MF Cédric Makiadi (1984-02-23) 23 February 1984 (age 40) 25 2 Germany Werder Bremen 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Lema Mabidi (1993-06-11) 11 June 1993 (age 30) 18 0 Morocco Raja Casablanca 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Hervé Kage (1989-04-10) 10 April 1989 (age 34) 4 0 Belgium Kortrijk 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Distel Zola (1989-02-05) 5 February 1989 (age 35) 11 0 Turkey Samsunspor 2015 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad

FW Yves Diba Ilunga (1987-08-12) 12 August 1987 (age 36) 20 5 Free Agent v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
FW Dieumerci Ndongala (1991-06-14) 14 June 1991 (age 32) 1 0 Belgium Charleroi v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
FW David Mbala (1993-04-19) 19 April 1993 (age 30) 2 0 Portugal Penafiel v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
FW Clarck N'Sikulu (1992-07-10) 10 July 1992 (age 31) 0 0 France Évian v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
FW Hervin Ongenda (1995-06-24) 24 June 1995 (age 28) 0 0 France Paris Saint-Germain v.  Iraq, March 31, 2015
FW Dieumerci Mbokani (1985-11-22) 22 November 1985 (age 38) 32 16 England Norwich City 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Junior Kabananga (1989-04-04) 4 April 1989 (age 34) 8 1 Kazakhstan Astana 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

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Notes

BEL Player joined Belgium national football team.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
RET Retired from international football

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

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Congo
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to
England 1966
Did not enter
Mexico 1970 Entry not accepted[8]
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 to
Brazil 2014
Did not qualify
Russia 2018 To Be Determined
Qatar 2022
Total Group Stage 1/20 3 0 0 3 0 14

African Nations Cup

African Cup of Nations
Titles: 2
Appearances: 15
Year Position Year Position Year Position Year Position
Sudan 1957 Did not enter Ethiopia 1976 Round 1 Tunisia 1994 Quarter Finals Equatorial GuineaGabon 2012 Did not qualify
Egypt 1959 Did not enter Ghana 1978 Did not enter South Africa 1996 Quarter Finals South Africa 2013 Round 1
Ethiopia 1962 Did not enter Nigeria 1980 Did not qualify Burkina Faso 1998 Third place Equatorial Guinea 2015 Third place
Ghana 1963 Did not enter Libya 1982 Did not qualify GhanaNigeria 2000 Round 1 Gabon 2017 To be determined
Tunisia 1965 Round 1 Ivory Coast 1984 Withdrew Mali 2002 Quarter Finals Cameroon 2019 To be determined
Ethiopia 1968 Champions Egypt 1986 Did not qualify Tunisia 2004 Round 1 Ivory Coast 2021 To be determined
Sudan 1970 Round 1 Morocco 1988 Round 1 Egypt 2006 Quarter Finals Guinea 2023 To be determined
Cameroon 1972 Fourth Place Algeria 1990 Did not qualify Ghana 2008 Did not qualify
Egypt 1974 Champions Senegal 1992 Quarter Finals Angola 2010 Did not qualify

List of coaches

References

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External links

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