Central African Republic national football team

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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]

Quick Facts Nickname(s), Association ...
Central African Republic
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Nickname(s)Les Fauves
(The Wild Beasts)
AssociationCentral African Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC
(Central Africa)
Head coachRigobert Song
CaptainGeoffrey Kondogbia
Most capsFoxi Kéthévoama (48)
Top scorerLouis Mafouta (16)
Home stadiumBarthélemy Boganda Stadium
FIFA codeCTA
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First colours
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Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 135 (19 December 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)
African Nations Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2024)
Best resultTBD (2024)
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History

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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)

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Hugo Gambor played his first game for the Central African Republic in 2024

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

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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

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)
5 June 2026 World Cup Qualification Central African Republic  1–0  Chad Oujda, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade Municipal d'Oujda
Attendance: 1,300
Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius)
10 June 2026 World Cup Qualification Ghana  4–3  Central African Republic Kumasi, Ghana
19:00 UTC+0
Report
Stadium: Baba Yara Stadium
Attendance: 39,000
Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed (Libya)
10 September 2025 AFCON Qual. Gabon  2–0  Central African Republic Franceville, Gabon
17:00 UTC+1 Aubameyang 11' (pen.)
Babicka 40'
Report Stadium: Stade de Franceville
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
12 October 2025 AFCON Qual. Morocco  5–0  Central African Republic Oujda, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Honor Stadium
Attendance: 19,800
Referee: Alhasan Bass (Gambia)
15 October 2025 AFCON Qual. Central African Republic  0–4  Morocco Oujda, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Honor Stadium
Referee: Naby Laye Touré (Guinea)
14 November 2025 AFCON Qual. Lesotho  1–0  Central African Republic Bloemfontein, South Africa
14:00 UTC+2 Mokhachane 51' Report Stadium: Free State Stadium
18 November 2025 AFCON Qual. Central African Republic  0–1  Gabon Johannesburg, South Africa
19:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

2025

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

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Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Lesotho and Gabon on 14 and 18 November 2024 respectively.[10]

Caps and goals as of 18 November 2024, after the match against Gabon.

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Geoffrey Lembet (1988-09-03) 3 September 1988 (age 36) 40 0 France Rennes
1GK Dominique Youfeigane (2000-02-07) 7 February 2000 (age 25) 13 0 Gibraltar Manchester 62
1GK Christopher Bimako (1994-08-05) 5 August 1994 (age 30) 0 0 Central African Republic Olympic Real de Bangui

2DF Sadock Ndobé (1998-09-09) 9 September 1998 (age 26) 31 0 Republic of the Congo AS Otôho
2DF Amos Youga (1992-12-08) 8 December 1992 (age 32) 28 0 Hungary Debrecen
2DF Peter Guinari (2001-06-02) 2 June 2001 (age 23) 19 0 Bulgaria Krumovgrad
2DF Cédric Yambéré (1990-11-06) 6 November 1990 (age 34) 17 0 France Bordeaux
2DF Séverin Tatolna (2002-02-10) 10 February 2002 (age 23) 12 0 Sweden Umeå
2DF Dylan Mboumbouni (1996-02-20) 20 February 1996 (age 28) 11 0 Romania Concordia Chiajna
2DF Leonce Namgbema (2004-04-23) 23 April 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Central African Republic Red Star Bangui
2DF Bertillo-Arnold Yangana-Ba-Komi (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Central African Republic Red Star Bangui
2DF Sacha M'Baka (2004-06-04) 4 June 2004 (age 20) 1 0 France Brest B

3MF Geoffrey Kondogbia (captain) (1993-02-15) 15 February 1993 (age 32) 20 3 France Marseille
3MF Brad Pirioua (2000-03-06) 6 March 2000 (age 24) 16 0 France Istres
3MF Isaac Ngoma (2002-12-09) 9 December 2002 (age 22) 14 3 Central African Republic Tempete
3MF Isaac Solet (2001-06-16) 16 June 2001 (age 23) 12 0 Turkey Göztepe
3MF Noah-Kévin Ato-Zandanga (2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 (age 21) 7 0 France Saint-Maur
3MF Hamissou Dangabo (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 (age 22) 5 1 France Nantes
3MF Dayan Saholona (1998-02-21) 21 February 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Switzerland Dietikon

4FW Louis Mafouta (1994-07-02) 2 July 1994 (age 30) 30 16 France Amiens
4FW Karl Namnganda (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 (age 29) 25 4 Bulgaria Pirin Blagoevgrad
4FW Vénuste Baboula (1998-08-23) 23 August 1998 (age 26) 17 3 France Versailles
4FW Tieri-Teddy Godame (2002-07-09) 9 July 2002 (age 22) 6 3 France Guingamp
4FW Loïs Kaya (1993-10-15) 15 October 1993 (age 31) 3 0 Central African Republic Tempete
4FW Michael Kanguite (2001-02-15) 15 February 2001 (age 24) 2 0 Lesotho Lijabatho
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Recent call-ups

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

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Marcellin Biandao (1992-10-29) 29 October 1992 (age 32) 0 0 Cameroon Fauve Azur Elite v.  Papua New Guinea, 25 March 2024

DF Hugo Gambor (2002-12-30) 30 December 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Belgium Gent v.  Lesotho, 14 November 2024 PRE
DF Flory Yangao (2002-01-13) 13 January 2002 (age 23) 29 0 Central African Republic Olympic Bangui v.  Morocco, 15 October 2024
DF Freeman Niamathé (1999-03-12) 12 March 1999 (age 25) 16 0 Republic of the Congo Diables Noirs v.  Morocco, 15 October 2024
DF Guy-Archange Bekain-Djasra (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Central African Republic Red Star Bangui v.  Gabon, 10 September 2024
DF Stéphane Kaïmba (2004-11-17) 17 November 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Cameroon Bamboutos v.  Ghana, 10 June 2024

MF Goduine Koyalipou (2000-02-15) 15 February 2000 (age 25) 7 1 France RC Lens v.  Lesotho, 14 November 2024 PRE
MF Trésor Toropite (1994-07-31) 31 July 1994 (age 30) 33 6 Republic of the Congo AS Otohô v.  Morocco, 15 October 2024
MF Axel Urie (1999-04-14) 14 April 1999 (age 25) 7 0 Qatar Al Kharaitiyat v.  Morocco, 15 October 2024
MF Espérance Mabekondiasson (2003-03-22) 22 March 2003 (age 21) 1 0 France Blois v.  Morocco, 15 October 2024
MF Yassan Ouatching (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26) 3 0 Ghana Hearts of Oak v.  Ghana, 10 June 2024

FW Christian Malipangou (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 22) 12 2 Rwanda Gasosi v.  Lesotho, 14 November 2024 PRE
FW Moustapha Djimet (2003-06-12) 12 June 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Belarus FC Minsk v.  Lesotho, 14 November 2024 PRE
FW Eleoenai Tompte (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 (age 26) 5 0 Austria Siegendorf v.  Ghana, 10 June 2024
FW Wesley Ngakoutou-Yapende (2001-08-18) 18 August 2001 (age 23) 3 0 France Nîmes v.  Ghana, 10 June 2024
FW Juste Koulou (1998-12-18) 18 December 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Central African Republic TP USCA v.  Ghana, 10 June 2024
FW Marco Majouga (2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Bulgaria Botev Vratsa v.  Papua New Guinea, 25 March 2024

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.

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Records

As of 18 November 2024[11]
Players in bold are still active with Central African Republic.

Most appearances

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Foxi Kéthévoama is Central African Republic's most-capped player with 48 appearances.
More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Foxi Kéthévoama4982002–2021
2Geoffrey Lembet4002010–present
3Franklin Anzité3702010–2019
4Nicaise Zimbori-Auzingoni3622011–2018
5Hilaire Momi33102007–2018
Saint-Cyr Ngam Ngam3302015–2022
Trésor Toropité3362013–present
8Salif Kéïta3132007–2021
Sadock Ndobé3102017–present
10Eloge Enza-Yamissi3012010–2020
Vianney Mabidé3052010–2020
Louis Mafouta30162017–present
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Top goalscorers

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Louis Mafouta16300.532017–present
2Hilaire Momi10330.32007–2018
3Foxi Kéthévoama8490.162002–2021
4Tresór Toropité6330.182014–present
5Vianney Mabidé5300.172010–2020
6Moussa Limane4130.312013–2017
Karl Namnganda4250.162021–present
Junior Gourrier4270.152007–2021
9Tieri Godame360.52024–present
Isaac Ngoma3140.212021–present
Vénuste Baboula3170.182023–present
Geoffrey Kondogbia3200.152018–present
Salif Kéïta3310.12007–2021
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Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup record, FIFA World Cup qualification 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 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978 Withdrew Withdrew
Spain 1982 Disqualified during qualifying Disqualified during qualifying
Mexico 1986 Did not enter Did not enter
Italy 1990
United States 1994
France 1998
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 Qualifications in progress 4 1 1 2 7 9
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/15 20 3 3 14 19 39
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Africa Cup of Nations

More information Africa Cup of Nations record, Africa Cup of Nations qualification record ...
Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations 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 6 1 0 5 3 14
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined To be determined
2029
Total 0/35 54 13 13 28 53 90
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African Nations Championship

More information African Nations Championship record, African Nations Championship qualification record ...
African Nations Championship record African Nations Championship qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not enter Did not enter
Sudan 2011
South Africa 2014 Withdrew Withdrew
Rwanda 2016
Morocco 2018 Disqualified Disqualified
Cameroon 2020 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 6
Algeria 2022 2 1 0 1 2 2
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2024 Qualified 2 1 0 1 2 2
Total 1/7 6 2 0 4 5 10
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Head-to-head record

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As of 18 November 2024 after match against  Gabon[12]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

More information Opponent, Pld ...
Opponent
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
 Algeria310225−3
 Angola410358−3
 Bhutan110060+6
 Botswana210143+1
 Burkina Faso511349−5
 Burundi211042+2
 Cameroon92161426−12
 Cape Verde201123−1
 Chad95131310+3
 Comoros100124−2
 Congo1411121233−21
 DR Congo9117830−22
 Equatorial Guinea4022611−5
 Egypt211043+1
 Ethiopia200214−3
 Gabon153481323−10
 Gambia201123−1
 Ghana301257–2
 Guinea301224−2
 Guinea-Bissau201113−2
 Ivory Coast5113519−14
 Kenya110032+1
 Lesotho210132+1
 Liberia301225−3
 Libya1010000
 Madagascar7421148+6
 Mali301258−3
 Malta100112−1
 Mauritania200203−3
 Morocco7025119−18
 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
Total146332986165288−123
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FIFA ranking history

End of each year only

Honours

Regional

Friendly

Notes

    References

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