Central African Republic national football team

The Central African Republic national football team (French: Équipe de République centrafricaine de football), nicknamed Les Fauves, is the national team of the Central African Republic and is controlled by the Central African Football Federation. They are a member of CAF. Despite being traditionally one of the weakest teams in Africa and the world, they recently achieved success. They won the 2009 CEMAC Cup by beating Gabon in the semi-finals and Equatorial Guinea in the final 3–0. Their FIFA ranking rose from 202nd in August 2010 to 89th by July 2011. On 10 October 2010, they earned a shock 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier win at home against Algeria 2–0, which put them top of their qualification group. The team won its first FIFA World Cup qualifier on 2 June 2012 after beating Botswana 2–0 at home.[3][4]

Central African Republic
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Fauves
(The Wild Beasts)
AssociationCentral African Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC
(Central Africa)
Head coachRaoul Savoy
CaptainGeoffrey Kondogbia
Most capsFoxi Kéthévoama (48)
Top scorerLouis Mafouta (11)
Home stadiumBarthélemy Boganda Stadium
FIFA codeCTA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 128 Increase 1 (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest49 (October 2012)
Lowest202 (July–September 2009, March–August 2010)
First international
Ubangi-Shari 5–1 French Cameroon
(Ubangi-Shari; unknown date 1956)[2]
Biggest win
 Central African Republic 6–0 Bhutan 
(Colombo, Sri Lanka; 22 March 2024)
Biggest defeat
 Ivory Coast 11–0 Central African Republic 
(Abidjan, Ivory Coast; 27 December 1961)

History

Early years (1956–1989)

The team made its debut under the name of Ubangi-Shari in 1956 against French Cameroon. The Central African Football Federation was founded in 1961 and joined FIFA in 1964 and CAF in 1965.

Their first competitive match was in the 1961 Friendship Games in Ivory Coast where Central African Republic drew twice against Upper Volta and Liberia before losing to the hosts and failing to progress to the next round.

Central African Republic entered the 1974 African Cup of Nations qualification for the first time, progressing due to Gabon's withdrawal but were then eliminated 5–4 on aggregate by Ivory Coast, a tie which saw the second leg abandoned at half-time after arguments between players of both sides, forcing a replay in Lagos which Ivory Coast won 5–1.

They took part in 1984 UDEAC Cup where they qualified to the knock-out rounds on goal-difference over Equatorial Guinea but were then heavily beaten by Cameroon 7–1 before beating Gabon on penalties to finish third. However in the 1988 UDEAC Cup, Gabon would get their revenge, beating Central African Republic in the semi-finals. The following year Central African Republic would host the 1989 UDEAC Cup, making it to the finals, beating Gabon on the way, before losing 2–1 to Cameroon.

Sporadic matches (1990–2008)

During the 1990s, Central African Republic played very few international games, withdrawing from the 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification without playing a match. They returned to competition in the UNIFAC Cup in 1999, winning three times and losing twice to finish second.

Central African Republic participated in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers for the first time, losing in the first round to Zimbabwe. They reached the final of the inaugural CEMAC Cup, losing to an amateur Cameroon team that they'd drawn with a week earlier in the tournament.

Promising victories (2009–2019)

In 2009, Central African Republic hosted the 2009 CEMAC Cup where they defeated Equatorial Guinea 3–0 in the final, with goals from Salif Kéïta and a brace from Hilaire Momi to claim their first trophy.

During the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Central African Republic achieved a historic 2–0 home victory over the top seeded Algeria, a team that had recently competed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In July 2011, they climbed to 89th place in the FIFA world rankings, having occupied 202nd place as recently as August 2010.

On 2 June 2012, they obtained their first victory in World Cup qualification, beating Botswana 2–0 at home. Despite that positive result, Central African Republic finished bottom of their group. On 15 June 2012, despite being reduced to ten men, they achieved another impressive victory, beating Egypt 3–2 in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, inflicting the first home defeat on the Egyptians in AFCON qualifiers since 1965. Thanks to a 1–1 draw at home in the second leg, Central African Republic eliminated the Egyptians, but in the second round they were defeated by Burkina Faso.

Missed opportunities (2020–present)

On 30 March 2021, in the last group stage match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Central African Republic lost 1–0 at home against Mauritania to finish bottom of their group; hence, they missed the opportunity, had they won, to finish second which would have qualified them for the final tournament for the first time in their history.[5]

On 17 June 2023, Central African Republic needed a win at home against Angola on matchday 5 of the qualifications to secure their first ever participation in the Africa Cup of Nations;[6] however, the match ended in a 2–1 defeat and a drop to third place.[7] In the final group stage match, the national team lost 2–1 to Ghana, despite a 1–0 lead, which ended their last hope of qualification.[8]

FIFA Series tournament

In 2024, Central African Republic played their first ever tournament outside Africa where FIFA invited them to the 2024 FIFA Series matches on from 22 to 25 March 2024 held in Colombo in Sri Lanka where they would face Bhutan and Papua New Guinea.

Results and fixtures

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
28 March 2023 (2023-03-28) 2023 AFCON qualification Central African Republic  2–0  Madagascar Douala, Cameroon
14:00 UTC+1
  • Mafouta 40', 82'
 Report Stadium: Stade de la Réunification
Referee: Issa Mouhamed (Benin)
17 June 2023 2023 AFCON qualification Central African Republic  1–2  Angola Douala, Cameroon
15:00 UTC+1
Report
  • K. Gaspar 12'
  • Milson 86'
 Stadium: Stade de la Réunification
Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Moroccan)
7 September 2023 (2023-09-07) 2023 AFCON qualification Ghana  2–1  Central African Republic Kumasi, Ghana
16:00 UTC±0
Report
  • Mafouta 25'
 Stadium: Baba Yara Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
17 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Comoros  4–2  Central African Republic Moroni, Comoros
16:00 UTC+3
  • M'Dahoma 29'
  • Youssouf 50'
  • Saïd 58'
  • Maolida 67'
 Report
Stadium: Stade de Moroni
Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)
20 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Mali  1–1  Central African Republic Bamako, Mali
19:00 UTC+3
  • Doumbia 76'
 Report
Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Georges Gatogato (Burundi)

2024
22 March 2024 FIFA World Series Central African Republic  6–0  Bhutan Colombo, Sri Lanka
15:00 UTC+5:30
  • Toropité 16'
  • Baboula 48', 90+3'
  • Namnganda 49', 64'
  • Dangabo 56'
 Report Stadium: Colombo Racecourse
Referee: Mohamed Jafran (Sri Lanka)
25 March 2024 FIFA World Series Central African Republic  4–0  Papua New Guinea Colombo, Sri Lanka
09:30 UTC+05:30
  • Yawanendji-Malipangou 11'
  • Godame 25', 43', 78'
 Report Stadium: Colombo Racecourse
Attendance: 550[9]
Referee: Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka)
June 2026 World Cup Qualification Central African Republic  v  Chad TBD, Central African Republic
June 2026 World Cup Qualification Ghana  v  Central African Republic TBD, Ghana

2025
March 2026 World Cup Qualification Central African Republic  v  Madagascar TBD, Central African Republic
March 2026 World Cup Qualification Mali  v  Central African Republic TBD, Mali
September 2026 World Cup Qualification Madagascar  v  Central African Republic TBD, Madagascar
September 2026 World Cup Qualification Central African Republic  v  Comoros TBD, Central African Republic
October 2026 World Cup Qualification Central African Republic  v  Ghana TBD, Central African Republic
March 2026 World Cup Qualification Chad  v  Central African Republic TBD, Chad

Coaching history
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • France Jules Accorsi (2010–2012)
  • Central African Republic Herve Lougoundji (2012–2014)
  • Switzerland Raoul Savoy (2014–2015)
  • France Blaise Kopogo (2015)
  • Central African Republic Herve Lougoundji (2015–2017)
  • Switzerland Raoul Savoy (2017–2019)
  • Ivory Coast François Zahoui (2019–2021)
  • Switzerland Raoul Savoy (2021–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2024 FIFA World Series friendly matches against Bhutan and Papua New Guinea on 22 and 25 March 2024.[10]

Caps and goals as of 25 March 2024, after the match against Papua New Guinea.[11]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Geoffrey Lembet (1988-09-03) 3 September 1988 38 0 France Rennes
1GK Dominique Youfeigane (2000-02-07) 7 February 2000 6 0 France Lorient
1GK Marcellin Biandao (1992-10-29) 29 October 1992 0 0 Cameroon Fauve Azur Elite
2DF Sadock Ndobé (1998-09-09) 9 September 1998 22 0 Republic of the Congo AS Otôho
2DF Flory Yangao (2002-01-13) 13 January 2002 22 0 Central African Republic Olympic Real de Bangui
2DF Peter Guinari (2001-06-02) 2 June 2001 16 0 Netherlands Telstar
2DF Freeman Niamathé (1999-03-12) 12 March 1999 15 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs
2DF Severin Tatolna (2002-02-10) 10 February 2002 4 0 Sweden Umeå
2DF Stéphane Kaïmba (2004-11-17) 17 November 2004 1 0 Cameroon Bamboutos
3MF Trésor Toropite (1994-07-31) 31 July 1994 24 4 Republic of the Congo AS Otohô
3MF Amos Youga (1992-12-08) 8 December 1992 22 0 Bulgaria CSKA Sofia
3MF Brad Pirioua (2000-03-06) 6 March 2000 11 0 France Istres
3MF Vénuste Baboula (1998-08-23) 23 August 1998 9 2 France Versailles
3MF Christian-Theodor Yawanendji-Malipangou (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 8 2 United Arab Emirates Al Dhafra
3MF Axel Urie (1999-04-14) 14 April 1999 6 0 France Concarneau
3MF Isaac Solet (2001-06-16) 16 June 2001 4 0 Bulgaria Slavia Sofia
4FW Louis Mafouta (1994-07-02) 2 July 1994 23 11 France Amiens
4FW Karl Namnganda (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 16 4 Iraq Karbala
4FW Marco Majouga (2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 3 0 Bulgaria Botev Vratsa
4FW Hamissou Dangabo (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 2 1 France Nantes
4FW Juste Koulou (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 2 0 Central African Republic TP USCA
4FW Tieri-Teddy Godame (2002-07-09) 9 July 2002 1 3 France Challans
4FW Wesley Ngakoutou-Yapende (2001-08-18) 18 August 2001 1 0 France Nîmes

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Central African Republic squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Saturnin Ngarsouna (1998-12-10) 10 December 1998 0 0 Central African Republic Red Star Bangui v.  Ghana, 7 September 2023
GK Alladoum Kolimba (1987-08-11) 11 August 1987 3 0 Nigeria Katsina United v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
DF Raphael Marc Yapende (2002-08-20) 20 August 2002 5 0 Central African Republic Olympic Real de Bangui v.  Mali, 20 November 2023
DF Sacha M'Baka (2004-06-04) 4 June 2004 0 0 France Brest B v.  Comoros, 17 November 2023
DF Sidney Dambakizi (1996-03-07) 7 March 1996 5 0 Central African Republic Anges de Fatima v.  Ghana, 7 September 2023
DF Thibault Ban (1996-08-13) 13 August 1996 17 0 Central African Republic Anges de Fatima v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
DF Noah Ato-Zandanga (2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 4 0 Spain Santanyí v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
DF Donald Guesset (1996-01-11) 11 January 1996 3 0 Central African Republic Anges de Fatima v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
DF Tony Biakolo (2006-08-27) 27 August 2006 1 0 France Toulouse v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
DF Dylan Mboumbouni (1996-02-20) 20 February 1996 8 0 Romania Mioveni v.  Angola, 17 June 2023 INJ
DF Cyriaque Mayounga (2000-10-04) 4 October 2000 2 0 Free agent v.  Angola, 17 June 2023 PRE
MF Geoffrey Kondogbia (captain) (1993-02-15) 15 February 1993 15 3 France Marseille 2024 FIFA Series WD
MF Goduine Koyalipou (2000-02-15) 15 February 2000 3 0 Belgium Beveren v.  Mali, 20 November 2023
MF Gabriel Oualengbe (2004-05-21) 21 May 2004 0 0 France Paris FC v.  Ghana, 7 September 2023
MF Steve Bekain (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 0 0 Central African Republic Olympic Real de Bangui v.  Ghana, 7 September 2023
MF Samuel Nlend (1995-03-15) 15 March 1995 6 1 Bolivia Los Leones Tunari v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
MF Jacob Youmbi (1994-04-01) 1 April 1994 5 0 Iraq Naft Al-Basra v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
MF Yassan Ouatching (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 3 0 Ghana Hearts of Oak v.  Angola, 17 June 2023
FW Lobi Manzoki (1996-10-12) 12 October 1996 5 0 China Dalian Pro v.  Mali, 20 November 2023
FW Eleoenai Tompte (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 5 0 Austria Siegendorf v.  Mali, 20 November 2023
FW Georgino M'Vondo (1997-08-12) 12 August 1997 11 0 France Biesheim v.  Angola, 17 June 2023 PRE

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Records
As of 20 November 2023[12]
Players in bold are still active with Central African Republic.

Most appearances
Foxi Kéthévoama is Central African Republic's most capped player with 48 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Foxi Kéthévoama4882002–2021
2Franklin Anzité3702010–2019
Geoffrey Lembet3702010–present
4Hilaire Momi33102007–2018
Saint-Cyr Ngam Ngam3302015–present
6Nicaise Zimbori-Auzingoni3222011–2018
7Salif Kéïta3132007–2021
8Eloge Enza Yamissi3012010–2020
Vianney Mabidé3052010–2020
10Junior Gourrier2442007–2021

Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Louis Mafouta11230.482017–present
2Hilaire Momi10330.32007–2018
3Foxi Kéthévoama8480.172002–2021
4Vianney Mabidé5300.172010–2020
5Tresór Toropité4230.172014–present
Junior Gourrier4240.172007–2021
7Moussa Limane3100.32013–2017
Isaac Ngoma3100.32021–present
Geoffrey Kondogbia3130.232018–present
Salif Kéïta3310.12007–2021

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1966 to 1974 Did not enter Did not enter
Argentina 1978 Withdrew Withdrew
Spain 1982 Disqualified during qualifying Disqualified during qualifying
1986 to 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 4
Germany 2006 Withdrew Withdrew
South Africa 2010
Brazil 2014 Did not qualify 6 1 0 5 5 12
Russia 2018 2 0 1 1 2 5
Qatar 2022 6 1 1 4 4 9
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 2 0 1 1 3 5
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total – 0/15 – – – – – – 18 2 3 13 15 35

Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957Part of France Part of France
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970Did not enter Did not enter
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974Did not qualify 210156
Ethiopia 1976Withdrew Withdrew
Ghana 1978Did not enter Did not enter
Nigeria 1980
Libya 1982
Ivory Coast 1984
Egypt 1986
Morocco 1988Did not qualify 200227
Algeria 1990Did not enter Did not enter
Senegal 1992
Tunisia 1994
South Africa 1996Withdrew Withdrew
Burkina Faso 1998Disqualified Disqualified
Ghana Nigeria 2000Did not enter Did not enter
Mali 2002Did not qualify 201113
Tunisia 2004 602439
Egypt 2006Withdrew Withdrew
Ghana 2008Did not enter Did not enter
Angola 2010Withdrew Withdrew
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012Did not qualify 622255
South Africa 2013 421166
Equatorial Guinea 2015 201113
Gabon 2017 6312911
Egypt 2019 613248
Cameroon 2021 6114511
Ivory Coast 2023 621397
Morocco 2025 To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
Total – 0/34 – – – – – – 48 12 13 23 50 76

Head-to-head record

As of 27 March 2023 after match against  Madagascar[13]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Algeria310225−3
 Angola310246−2
 Bhutan110060+6
 Botswana210143+1
 Burkina Faso511349−5
 Burundi211042+2
 Cameroon92161426−12
 Cape Verde201123−1
 Chad83141211+1
 Congo1411121233−21
 DR Congo9117830−22
 Equatorial Guinea4022611−5
 Egypt211043+1
 Ethiopia200214−3
 Gabon133461320−7
 Gambia201123−1
 Ghana1010110
 Guinea301224−2
 Guinea-Bissau201113−2
 Ivory Coast5113519−14
 Kenya110032+1
 Liberia301225−3
 Libya1010000
 Madagascar7421148+6
 Mali200247−3
 Malta100112−1
 Mauritania200203−3
 Morocco5023110−9
 Mozambique201112−2
 Niger110020+2
 Nigeria210112−1
 Rwanda4112410−6
 Papua New Guinea110040+4
 São Tomé and Príncipe220051+4
 Senegal100103−3
 South Africa200205−5
 Sudan1010000
 Tanzania310246−2
 Togo100101−1
 Tunisia100103−3
 Zimbabwe200214−3
Total134302878153262−109

FIFA ranking history

End of each year only

Achievements
  • CEMAC Cup
    • Champions (1): 2009
    • Runners-up (1): 2003
  • UNIFAC Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 1999

Notes

    References
    1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
    2. Barrie Courtney. "Central African Republic – List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
    3. "Éliminatoires CAN 2019: La liste des 23 fauves pour affronter la Guinée". Centrafrique Football (in French). Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
    4. "CAR national football team 2018". national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
    5. "Central African Republic 0–1 Mauritania". CAF. 30 March 2021.
    6. "AFCON 2023 (Q): Central African Republic one step away from glory". Sport News Africa. 17 June 2023. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
    7. "Goals and Highlights: Central African Republic 1-2 Angola in Africa Cup Of Nations Qualifiers". vavel.com. 17 June 2023. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
    8. "Kudus, Nuamah goals secure Afcon 2023 place for Ghana". BBC Sport. 7 September 2023.
    9. "Match Report of Central African Republic vs Papua New Guinea 2024-03-25 FIFA Series". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
    10. "Centrafrique : la liste pour le FIFA Series sans Kondogbia" (in French). afrik-foot.com. 14 March 2024.
    11. "Central African Republic - Papua Nuova Guinea". 25 March 2024.
    12. "Central African Republic". National Football Teams.
    13. "World Football Elo Ratings: Central African Republic". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
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