Team Captain: Oscar Ewolo (In photo)
FIFA Rank: 61
Coach: Claude Le Roy
Captain: Oscar Ewolo
Nickname: Diables Rouges
Best AFCON finish: Champions (1972)
AFCON 2013 finish: Banned from 2002-2013
AFCON PEDIGREE:
Congo are former champions of Africa, albeit in 1972. However, it needs to be noted that the Republic of Congo has not had many opportunities to compete against the best that the continent has to offer.
Congo did not enter the tournament between 1957-1965 and have been banned from eight editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Congo is a football nation that is not to be trifled with under any circumstances, when it has the opportunity to compete.
The desire to win has always been evident, if not controversial at times. That desire has been fuelled by the extended absence from the continent's premier international competition. They are a threat and a team quite capable of advancing deep into this year's competition.
FIFA Rank: 61
Coach: Claude Le Roy
Captain: Oscar Ewolo
Nickname: Diables Rouges
Best AFCON finish: Champions (1972)
AFCON 2013 finish: Banned from 2002-2013
AFCON PEDIGREE:
Congo are former champions of Africa, albeit in 1972. However, it needs to be noted that the Republic of Congo has not had many opportunities to compete against the best that the continent has to offer.
Congo did not enter the tournament between 1957-1965 and have been banned from eight editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Congo is a football nation that is not to be trifled with under any circumstances, when it has the opportunity to compete.
The desire to win has always been evident, if not controversial at times. That desire has been fuelled by the extended absence from the continent's premier international competition. They are a threat and a team quite capable of advancing deep into this year's competition.
SQUAD OVERVIEW:
In an era when national coaches have had the tendency to show more faith in players who ply their trade abroad, the Congo squad is quite refreshing. In the final squad which will represent the Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations this month, nine are actually based in the Congo.
It is by no means overwhelming but it is an indication that coach Claude Le Roy still believes in the value of players produced in the Congo topflight. Like many of his counterparts Le Roy has selected a relatively youthful squad ahead of this year's tournament.
It presents an opportunity for certain players in this squad to carve out their own niche in African football and it also symbolises the emergence of a new generation, seeking to make its mark.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Christoffer Mafoumbi (Le Pontet), Chansel Massa (AC Leopards), Pavhel Ndzila (Etoile du Congo)
Defenders: Marvin Baudry (Amiens), Dimitri Bissiki (AC Leopards), Arnold Bouka Moutou (Angers), Atoni Mavoungou (CNFF), Boris Moubio (AC Leopards), Francis Nganga (Charleroi), Igor Nganga (FC Aarau)
Midfielders: Sagesse Babele (AC Leopards), Hardy Binguila (Diables Noirs), Cesaire Gandze (AC Leopards), Chris Malonga (Lausanne), Delvin Ndinga (Olympiacos), Prince Oniangue (Reims)
Forwards: Thievy Bifouma (Almeria), Fode Dore (Cluj), Ladislas Douniama (Guingamp), Sylvere Ganvoula (Raja Casablanca), Franci Litsingi (Teplice), Dominique Malonga (Hibernian), Fabrice Ondama (Wydad Casablanca)
In an era when national coaches have had the tendency to show more faith in players who ply their trade abroad, the Congo squad is quite refreshing. In the final squad which will represent the Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations this month, nine are actually based in the Congo.
It is by no means overwhelming but it is an indication that coach Claude Le Roy still believes in the value of players produced in the Congo topflight. Like many of his counterparts Le Roy has selected a relatively youthful squad ahead of this year's tournament.
It presents an opportunity for certain players in this squad to carve out their own niche in African football and it also symbolises the emergence of a new generation, seeking to make its mark.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Christoffer Mafoumbi (Le Pontet), Chansel Massa (AC Leopards), Pavhel Ndzila (Etoile du Congo)
Defenders: Marvin Baudry (Amiens), Dimitri Bissiki (AC Leopards), Arnold Bouka Moutou (Angers), Atoni Mavoungou (CNFF), Boris Moubio (AC Leopards), Francis Nganga (Charleroi), Igor Nganga (FC Aarau)
Midfielders: Sagesse Babele (AC Leopards), Hardy Binguila (Diables Noirs), Cesaire Gandze (AC Leopards), Chris Malonga (Lausanne), Delvin Ndinga (Olympiacos), Prince Oniangue (Reims)
Forwards: Thievy Bifouma (Almeria), Fode Dore (Cluj), Ladislas Douniama (Guingamp), Sylvere Ganvoula (Raja Casablanca), Franci Litsingi (Teplice), Dominique Malonga (Hibernian), Fabrice Ondama (Wydad Casablanca)
By: Farai Diza
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