# DR Congo national football team

The DR Congo national football team (French: Équipe nationale de football de la République démocratique du Congo), recognised by FIFA as Congo DR, represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football and it is controlled by the Congolese Association Football Federation. They are nicknamed Les Léopards, meaning The Leopards. The team is a member of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Congo DR have been ranked as high as 28th 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. They are also one of the most successful teams in the African Nations Championship with 2 titles, along with Morocco. They are currently ranked 63rd in the FIFA Rankings.
Congo DR have previously competed variously as Belgian Congo, Congo-Kinshasa and Zaïre. Their appearance at the 1974 FIFA World Cup was as Zaïre.

## History
### Early history

The Congolese Association Football Federation 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 11 April 1963, against Mauritania in the L'Amitié Tournament played in Dakar, Senegal. DR Congo won the match 6–0. The national team appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 1965.

### 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. Although a handful of Congolese players were playing in Europe (particularly Belgium) during these years, foreign-based players were seldom recalled for international duty; a rare exception was Julien Kialunda who represented Zaire (as the country was by then known) at the 1972 African Cup of Nations while playing for Anderlecht.
The second continental title came at the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Leopards 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 Ndaye Mulamba was top scorer with nine goals, which 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 World Cup, qualifying for the 1974 tournament in place of the 1970 participant Morocco, whom they defeated in the decisive qualifier 3–0 in Kinshasa. Such was the desire to foster an identity of Zaire as a global player that Mobutu paid for advertising hoardings at the World Cup to display messages such as ‘Zaire-Peace’ and ‘Go to Zaire’. At the tournament itself, Zaire did not manage to score any goals and lost all of its games, but gave credible performances against Scotland and Brazil. However, their 9–0 loss against Yugoslavia remains one of the worst World Cup defeats. A bizarre moment came in the match versus Brazil; facing a free-kick 25 yards out, 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. Ilunga has stated 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. Many contemporary commentators instead held it to be an example of African football's "naïvety and indiscipline".

### Crisis period

After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 World Cup, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations after recording a draw and two losses in the group stage. Morocco went on to win the tournament. From 1978 to 1986, the country did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations, while not participating in qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1986 World Cup. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, Zaire finished last in their group despite having two 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, the country returned to its former name of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the national team was re-branded as the Simbas, a nickname that stuck for the next nine years. DR Congo played their first game on 8 June 1997 in Pointe-Noire which ended in a 1–0 loss to the Republic of the Congo. At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo, led by Louis Watunda, surprisingly took third place, beating Cameroon in the quarter-finals and hosts Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties in their last match after scoring three late goals to tie the encounter 4–4.
At the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the team finished third in their group, and in 2002 were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Senegal. Then, in 2004, DR Congo were eliminated after three straight defeats in the group stages. In 2006, led by Claude Le Roy, having finished second in the group behind Cameroon, the Congolese were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Egypt 4–1.

### Struggles

DR Congo were drawn in group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, along with Libya, Namibia and Ethiopia. Before the last match day, the Congolese led the group, but they drew 1–1 with Libya in their final match while Namibia beat Ethiopia 3–2. This sent Namibia through to the Finals, while the Leopards were eliminated. DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. In 2009, DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations, a competition reserved to players in domestic leagues, a tournament they would again win in 2016. 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.

### The Ibengé era: rise and near World Cup miss

In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo again drew all three group matches but this time finished second in the group behind Tunisia, and therefore advanced to the quarter-finals to play their rivals Republic of Congo, a match in which the Leopards came from two goals down to win 4–2. However, they were knocked out by the Ivory Coast 3–1 in the semi-finals. They ended up finishing third, beating Equatorial Guinea on penalties, after the third place match finished 0–0 in regulation time.
DR Congo under Ibengé improved radically and had an outstanding performance for many decades in a World Cup qualification. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, DR Congo was grouped with Libya, Tunisia and Guinea. DR Congo managed an outstanding performance, beating Libya and Guinea home and away, but missed the chance after losing 1–2 to eventual World Cup qualifier Tunisia in Tunis and drew 2–2 at home to the same opponent.

## Home stadium

Stade des Martyrs has been the home of the national team since its establishment and they roughly play their games at Lubumbashi.

## 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

### 2025
## Coaches

* Léon Mokuna (1965)
* Ferenc Csanádi (1967–1968)
* Léon Mokuna (1968–1970)
* André Mori (1970)
* Blagoje Vidinić (1970–1974)
* Ştefan Stănculescu (1974–1976)
* Julien Kialunda (?–?)
* Otto Pfister (1985–1989)
* Ali Makombo Alamande (1989)
* Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1992–1993)
* Louis Watunda (1993)
* Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1994)
* Jean-Santos Muntubila (1995)
* Muhsin Ertuğral (1995–1996)
* Jean-Santos Muntubila (1996–1997)
* Mohamed Magassouba (1997)
* Celio Barros (1997)
* Saio Ernest Mokili (1997)
* Louis Watunda Iyolo (1998–1999)
* Médard Lusadusu Basilwa (1999–2000)
* Roger Palmgren (1999–2000)
* Mohamed Magassouba (2000)
* Jean-Santos Muntubila (2001)
* Yuri Gavrilov (2001)
* Eugène Kabongo (2002)
* Andy Mfutila (2002–2003)
* Mick Wadsworth (2003–2004)
* Claude Le Roy (2004–2006)
* Henri Depireux (2006–2007)
* Patrice Neveu (2008–2010)
* Robert Nouzaret (2010–2011)
* Claude Le Roy (2011–2013)
* Jean-Santos Muntubila (2013–2014)
* Florent Ibengé (2014–2019)
* Christian Nsengi-Biembe (2019–2021)
* Héctor Cúper (2021–2022)
* Sébastien Desabre (2022–present)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players have been selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against South Sudan and Mauritania on 21 and 25 March 2025 respectively.
Caps and goals as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Ethiopia.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Lionel Mpasi | (1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 30) | 16 | 0 | Rodez |
| 1GK | Dimitry Bertaud | (1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 26) | 9 | 0 | Montpellier |
| 1GK | Timothy Fayulu | (1999-07-24) 24 July 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Sion |
| 2DF | Chancel Mbemba (captain) | (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) | 90 | 6 | Marseille |
| 2DF | Arthur Masuaku | (1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 31) | 30 | 3 | Beşiktaş |
| 2DF | Henoc Inonga Baka | (1993-11-01) 1 November 1993 (age 31) | 22 | 0 | AS FAR |
| 2DF | Joris Kayembe | (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) | 11 | 0 | Genk |
| 2DF | Dylan Batubinsika | (1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 29) | 9 | 1 | Saint-Étienne |
| 2DF | Brian Bayeye | (2000-06-30) 30 June 2000 (age 24) | 3 | 0 | Radnički |
| 2DF | Rocky Bushiri | (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Hibernian |
| 2DF | Jeremy Ngakia | (2000-09-07) 7 September 2000 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Watford |
| 3MF | Meschak Elia | (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 27) | 52 | 11 | Young Boys |
| 3MF | Samuel Moutoussamy | (1996-08-12) 12 August 1996 (age 28) | 42 | 0 | Sivasspor |
| 3MF | Théo Bongonda | (1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 (age 29) | 25 | 4 | Spartak Moscow |
| 3MF | Edo Kayembe | (1998-08-03) 3 August 1998 (age 26) | 26 | 2 | Watford |
| 3MF | Charles Pickel | (1997-05-15) 15 May 1997 (age 27) | 19 | 0 | Cremonese |
| 3MF | Silas Katompa Mvumpa | (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26) | 17 | 1 | Red Star Belgrade |
| 3MF | Noah Sadiki | (2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 20) | 6 | 0 | Union Saint-Gilloise |
| 3MF | Grady Diangana | (1998-04-19) 19 April 1998 (age 26) | 5 | 0 | West Bromwich Albion |
| 3MF | Nathanaël Mbuku | (2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | Dinamo Zagreb |
| 3MF | Ngal'ayel Mukau | (2004-11-03) 3 November 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Lille |
| 4FW | Cédric Bakambu | (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 33) | 54 | 16 | Real Betis |
| 4FW | Yoane Wissa | (1996-09-03) 3 September 1996 (age 28) | 28 | 5 | Brentford |
| 4FW | Fiston Mayele | (1994-06-24) 24 June 1994 (age 30) | 21 | 4 | Pyramids |
| 4FW | Simon Banza | (1996-08-13) 13 August 1996 (age 28) | 10 | 0 | Braga |
| 4FW | Samuel Essende | (1998-01-30) 30 January 1998 (age 27) | 6 | 0 | FC Augsburg |

### Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up for DR Congo in the last twelve months and are still eligible to represent.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Brudel Efonge | (1999-05-29) 29 May 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Maniema | v. Tanzania, 15 October 2024 |
| GK | Esdras Kabamba | (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Bravos do Maquis | v. Togo, 9 June 2024 |
| DF | Gédéon Kalulu | (1997-08-29) 29 August 1997 (age 27) | 19 | 0 | Lorient | v. South Sudan, 21 March 2025 $^{PRE}$ |
| DF | Axel Tuanzebe | (1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 27) | 3 | 0 | Ipswich Town | v. South Sudan, 21 March 2025 $^{PRE}$ |
| DF | Peter Kioso | (1999-08-15) 15 August 1999 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Oxford United | v. Ethiopia, 19 November 2024 |
| MF | William Balikwisha | (1999-05-12) 12 May 1999 (age 25) | 6 | 0 | OH Leuven | v. Ethiopia, 19 November 2024 |
| MF | Oscar Kabwit | (2005-05-05) 5 May 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Mazembe | v. Ethiopia, 19 November 2024 |
| MF | Gaël Kakuta | (1991-06-21) 21 June 1991 (age 33) | 27 | 3 | Esteghlal | v. Guinea, 16 November 2024 $^{PRE}$ |
| MF | Chadrac Akolo | (1995-04-01) 1 April 1995 (age 29) | 26 | 2 | St. Gallen | v. Tanzania, 10 October 2024 $^{PRE}$ |
| MF | Aaron Tshibola | (1995-01-25) 25 January 1995 (age 30) | 14 | 1 | Hatta | v. Togo, 9 June 2024 |
| $^{INJ}$ 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 15 October 2024
    Players in bold are still active with DR Congo.

### Most appearances

| Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Chancel Mbemba | 89 | 6 | 2012–present |
| 2 | Issama Mpeko | 81 | 2 | 2011–2023 |
| 3 | Robert Kidiaba | 64 | 0 | 2002–2015 |
| 4 | Cédric Bakambu | 54 | 16 | 2015–present |
| 5 | Zola Matumona | 53 | 9 | 2002–2014 |
| 5 | Trésor Mputu | 53 | 14 | 2004–2021 |
| 7 | Joël Kimwaki | 52 | 3 | 2009–2016 |
| 8 | Yannick Bolasie | 50 | 9 | 2013–2022 |
| 8 | Meschak Elia | 50 | 11 | 2016–present |
| 8 | Marcel Mbayo | 50 | 4 | 1996–2011 |

### Top goalscorers

| Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
| 1 | Dieumerci Mbokani | 22 | 49 | 0.45 | 2005–2022 |
| 2 | Cédric Bakambu | 16 | 54 | 0.3 | 2015–present |
| 3 | Shabani Nonda | 14 | 22 | 0.64 | 2000–2008 |
| 3 | Trésor Mputu | 14 | 53 | 0.26 | 2004–2021 |
| 5 | Jean-Jacques Yemweni | 12 | 16 | 0.75 | 2000–2007 |
| 6 | Ngoy Kabongo | 11 | 22 | 0.5 | 1981–1991 |
| 6 | Meschak Elia | 11 | 50 | 0.22 | 2016–present |
| 8 | Ndaye Mulamba | 10 | 20 | 0.5 | 1973–1976 |
| 9 | Kakoko Etepé | 9 | 31 | 0.29 | 1970–1976 |
| 9 | Dioko Kaluyituka | 9 | 31 | 0.29 | 2004–2013 |
| 9 | Jonathan Bolingi | 9 | 34 | 0.26 | 2014–2022 |
| 9 | Ndombe Mubele | 9 | 45 | 0.2 | 2013–2018 |
| 9 | Yannick Bolasie | 9 | 50 | 0.18 | 2013–2022 |
| 9 | Zola Matumona | 9 | 53 | 0.17 | 2002–2014 |

## Competitive record
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville |
| 1930 to 1962 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa |
| 1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire | as Zaire |
| 1970 | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA |
| 1974 | Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 4 |
| 1978 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 12 |
| 1986 | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 10 |
| as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo | as DR Congo |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 18 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 10 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 6 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 5 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 9 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 8 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Group stage | 1/15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 88 | 41 | 21 | 26 | 143 | 94 |

### Africa Cup of Nations

| Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1957 | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium |
| 1959 | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium | Part of Belgium |
| 1962 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1963 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville | Played as Congo-Léopoldville |
| 1965 | Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa | Played as Congo-Kinshasa |
| 1968 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| 1970 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions |
| Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire | Played as Zaire |
| 1972 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| 1974 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 3 |
| 1976 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions | Qualified as defending champions |
| 1978 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1980 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| 1984 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| 1988 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1992 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| 1994 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 3 |
| 1996 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 5 |
| Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo | Played as / / DR Congo |
| 1998 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
| 2000 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| 2002 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 10 |
| 2004 | Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 5 |
| 2006 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 10 |
| 2008 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 10 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 6 |
| 2012 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 10 |
| 2013 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 |
| 2015 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 9 |
| 2017 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 6 |
| 2019 | Round of 16 | 14th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| 2021 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 2023 | Fourth place | 4th | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 4 |
| 2025 | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | 2 Titles | 20/34 | 80 | 21 | 29 | 30 | 94 | 104 | 147 | 74 | 34 | 36 | 243 | 153 |

### African Nations Championship

| African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 2009 | Final | Winners | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| 2011 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2014 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2016 | Final | Winners | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 7 | DR Congo qualified by walkover. | DR Congo qualified by walkover. | DR Congo qualified by walkover. | DR Congo qualified by walkover. | DR Congo qualified by walkover. | DR Congo qualified by walkover. |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | Quarter-finals | | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2022 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Total | 2 titles | 5/6 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 32 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 8 |

### African Games

African Games record :
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1965 | 5th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 8 |
| 1973-1987 | Did not enter |
| Total | 1/4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 8 |

## Head-to-head record

Including the record of Ethiopia. Updated as for 19 November 2024.
| Opponent | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | W% | L% |
| Algeria | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Angola | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 13 | 47.06 | 23.53 |
| Bahrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
| Benin | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 75 | 0 |
| Botswana | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 100 |
| Burkina Faso | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 23 | 21 | 38.46 | 46.15 |
| Burundi | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 100 | 0 |
| Cameroon | 36 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 32 | 46 | 30.56 | 50 |
| Cape Verde | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 33.33 | 0 |
| Central African Republic | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 71.43 | 14.29 |
| Chad | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Congo | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 66 | 38 | 47.37 | 21.05 |
| Djibouti | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 75 | 0 |
| Egypt | 14 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 27 | 7.14 | 57.14 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| Eswatini | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 62.5 | 12.5 |
| Ethiopia | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 75 | 25 |
| Gabon | 19 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 31.58 | 26.32 |
| Gambia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| Ghana | 24 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 23 | 40 | 20.83 | 54.17 |
| Guinea | 15 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 11 | 40 | 33.33 |
| Iraq | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 100 |
| Ivory Coast | 20 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 27 | 34 | 25 | 45 |
| Kenya | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 13 | 50 | 33.33 |
| Lesotho | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 42.86 | 0 |
| Liberia | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 44.44 | 33.33 |
| Libya | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 11 | 41.67 | 16.67 |
| Madagascar | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 27 | 15 | 50 | 28.57 |
| Malawi | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 57.14 | 14.29 |
| Mali | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 18 | 18.18 | 45.45 |
| Mauritania | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 100 | 0 |
| Mauritius | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 100 | 0 |
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Morocco | 17 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 20 | 17.65 | 29.41 |
| Mozambique | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 71.43 | 0 |
| Namibia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Niger | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| Nigeria | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 40 | 50 |
| North Korea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oman | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Qatar | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Romania | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Rwanda | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 40 | 60 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Scotland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Senegal | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 23.08 | 46.15 |
| Seychelles | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Sierra Leone | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 100 | 0 |
| South Africa | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 11.11 | 66.67 |
| Sudan | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 11 | 58.33 | 25 |
| Tanzania | 18 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 38.89 | 16.67 |
| Togo | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 41 | 11 | 76.47 | 5.88 |
| Tunisia | 20 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 17 | 27 | 25 | 55 |
| Uganda | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 10 | 56.25 | 31.25 |
| Yugoslavia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 100 |
| Zambia | 27 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 43 | 35 | 30.77 | 26.92 |
| Zimbabwe | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 37.5 | 37.5 |
* ↑ Includes the results of Upper Volta.

## Honours
### Continental

* CAF African Cup of Nations
** Champions (2): 1968, 1974
** Third place (2): 1998, 2015
* CAF African Nations Championship
** Champions (2): 2009, 2016

### Regional

* Central African Games
** Gold medal (1): 1981

### Awards

* Africa Cup of Nations Fair Play Award: 2015

### Summary

| Senior Competitions | | | | Total |
| CAF African Cup of Nations | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| CAF African Nations Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 |