The Niger national football team (French: Equipe de football du Niger) [3][4] represents Niger in international football through the Nigerien Football Federation, a member of Confederation of African Football (CAF). Niger plays in the colors of the flag of Niger, white, green and orange. Their nickname comes from the Dama gazelle, native to Niger, the Hausa name of which is Meyna or Ménas[5] The Dama appears on their badge in the colors of the national flag. [6][7]
Nickname(s) | Ménas | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Fédération Nigerienne de Football (FENIFOOT) | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | WAFU (West Africa) | ||
Head coach | Ezzaki Badou | ||
Captain | Abdoulaye Katkoré | ||
Most caps | Kassaly Daouda (89) | ||
Top scorer | Victorien Adebayor (20) | ||
Home stadium | Stade Général Seyni Kountché | ||
FIFA code | NIG | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 127 2 (19 September 2024)[1] | ||
Highest | 68 (November 1994) | ||
Lowest | 196 (August 2002) | ||
First international | |||
Chad 2–2 Niger (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; 25 December 1961) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Niger 7–1 Mauritania (Niamey, Niger; 12 October 1990) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Congo 10–0 Niger (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; 27 December 1961) | |||
Africa Cup of Nations | |||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2012) | ||
Best result | Group stage (2012, 2013) | ||
African Nations Championship | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 2011) | ||
Best result | Fourth place (2022) |
History
editAlthough one of the less successful sides in the strong West Africa region, Niger has produced a couple of noteworthy runs in qualifying tournaments.
One of their best performances was in the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in which Niger eliminated Somalia and Togo on the away goals rule, but were beaten by Algeria in the third round where only eight teams were left. Notable players in this run included Jacques Komlan, Hassane Adamou and Moussa Kanfideni.
In 1990, they set a record by thrashing Mauritania 7–1 in continental qualifiers, the highest positive score margin for the Mena.
In the 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers, Niger won all their home games (including a win over Guinea) to finish on nine points, just three short of qualification.
The Niger squad is also plagued by financial concerns, which have caused them to withdraw from international tournaments on more than one occasion. The Nigerien Football Federation would have turned to fundraising to pay for their trip to the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, had they qualified.[8]
On 10 October 2010, Niger earned a shock 1–0 win over Egypt at home in the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification.
Despite a failed run for AFCON 2010, Niger hosted and won the UEMOA Tournament in November 2010, and followed up with their first ever qualification for the African Nations Championship in February 2011.[9]
After home wins over South Africa and Sierra Leone, on 8 October 2011 Niger qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in its history, despite losing 3–0 in Egypt.[10][11] Niger, South Africa and Sierra Leone all ended with nine points, but Niger qualified thanks to their superior head-to-head record against their rivals.
At the 2012 African Cup of Nations, Niger was placed in Group C alongside co-hosts Gabon, Tunisia and Morocco. In their opening match, Niger lost 2–0 to Gabon, while against Tunisia in Libreville, Niger trailed 1–0 on an early goal from Youssef Msakni in which he dribbled his way through for a fine goal after just four minutes. William N'Gounou, however, then made history by scoring Niger's first ever goal at the African Cup of Nations. A 1–1 draw looked likely, but Issam Jemâa's goal would eliminate Niger from the tournament. In the final match, Niger faced Morocco in a match featuring two sides already eliminated from the tournament. Younès Belhanda scored on an assist from Marouane Chamakh just 11 minutes from time to give Morocco a 1–0 victory.[12]
Later in 2012, Niger repeated its success in African Nations Cup qualifiers by beating Guinea in a two-legged series to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea won the first match 1–0, but Niger won 2–0 in the second leg. Goalscorers Mohamed Chikoto and Issoufou Boubacar had sent Niger to another African Cup of Nations tournament.[13]
In their first match at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Niger lost 1–0 to Mali at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Mali captain Seydou Keita handed his nation the hard-fought victory five minutes before the end of the encounter. Niger then earned their first point ever at the African Cup of nations after holding DR Congo to a 0–0 draw. In the third match, Ghana outclassed Niger 3–0 to reach the quarter-finals as Group B winners.[14] Niger finished bottom of the group.
On 22 May 2014, Niger played a friendly match against Ukraine, marking the first ever match against a European nation. Oumarou Bale scored in the 56th minute, cancelling out a 20th-minute goal from Ivan Ordets before Ukraine won on a goal from Taras Stepanenko as the match finished 2–1.[15][16]
Results and fixtures
editThe 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
edit14 October Friendly | Niger | 3–0 | Somalia | Berrechid, Morocco |
Amoustapha 9' A. Wonkoye 26' (pen.) Goumey 74' |
Stadium: Berrechid Municipal Stadium |
17 October Friendly | Libya | 1–1 | Niger | Khouribga, Morocco |
16:30 UTC+1 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Phosphate Stadium Referee: Mustapha Kechaf (Morocco) |
18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Niger | 0–1 | Tanzania | Marrakesh, Morocco |
17:00 UTC+1 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Attendance: 178 Referee: Lotfi Bekouassa (Algeria) |
21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Niger | 2–1 | Zambia | Marrakesh, Morocco |
20:00 UTC+1 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Attendance: 200 Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed (Libya) |
2024
edit8 January Friendly | Senegal | 1–0 | Niger | Diamniadio, Senegal |
18:00 UTC±0 |
|
Report | Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium |
22 March Friendly | Niger | 1–2 | Togo | Mohammedia, Morocco |
22:00 UTC±0 | Sosah 55' | Report | Dermane 60, 65' | Stadium: El Bachir Stadium |
26 March Friendly | Niger | 1–1 | Burkina Faso | Berrechid, Morocco |
22:00 UTC±0 | Sosah 53' | Report | Djiga 30' | Stadium: Berrechid Municipal Stadium |
June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Congo | 0–3 Awarded[a] | Niger |
June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Eritrea | Cancelled | Niger | |
Note: Eritrea withdrew from the qualifiers before the first matches were played. |
Coaching history
edit- Heinz-Peter Uberjahn (1981–1986)
- Soumaila Tiemogo (1992)
- David Nadjadoum (1992–1994)
- Soumaila Tiemogo (1998)
- Amadou Toure (1998)
- Patrice Neveu (1999–2000)
- Jean-Yves Chay (2000)
- Yeo Martial (2002–2003)[18]
- Bana Tchanile (2006–2007)
- Hamey Amadou (2007–2008)
- Dan Anghelescu (2008)
- Frederic Costa (2008–2009)
- Harouna Doula Gabde (2009–2012)
- Rolland Courbis (2012)
- Gernot Rohr (2012–2014)
- Cheick Omar Diabate (2014–2015)
- François Zahoui (2015–2019)
- Jean-Guy Wallemme (2019–2020)
- Jean-Michel Cavalli (2020–2023)
- Zakaria Yaou Ibrahim (Interim) (2023)
- Ezzaki Badou (2023–present)
Players
editCurrent squad
editThe following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Congo on 6 June 2024.[19]
Caps and goals are correct as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Burkina Faso.
Recent call-ups
editThe following players have been called up for Niger in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Naim Van Attenhoven | 31 January 2003 | 9 | 0 | Valenciennes | v. Burkina Faso, 26 March 2024 |
GK | Oumarou Issaka | 2 December 1990 | 0 | 0 | Douanes | v. Senegal, 8 January 2024 |
GK | Oumarou Soumaila | 24 October 1987 | 3 | 0 | US GN | v. Tanzania, 18 June 2023 |
DF | Massoudi Salifou | 11 July 2004 | 7 | 0 | Douanes | v. Senegal, 8 January 2024 |
DF | Ousmane Oumarou Mansour | 1 | 0 | v. Senegal, 8 January 2024 | ||
DF | Yacouba Diori Hamani Magagi | 8 September 1997 | 12 | 0 | Castellón | v. Zambia, 21 November 2023 |
DF | Laurent Chamssidine | 4 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | Sahel | v. Zambia, 21 November 2023 |
DF | Adamou Djibo | 13 August 1998 | 14 | 0 | Sheriff Tiraspol | v. Libya, 17 October 2023 |
MF | Amadou Moutari | 19 January 1994 | 54 | 3 | Al-Faisaly | v. Burkina Faso, 26 March 2024 |
MF | Salim Abubakar | 6 April 2003 | 6 | 0 | Sassuolo | v. Senegal, 8 January 2024 |
MF | Issah Salou | 4 February 1999 | 4 | 0 | Skive IK | v. Senegal, 8 January 2024 |
MF | Amadou Sabo | 30 May 2000 | 20 | 3 | Club Africain | v. Zambia, 21 November 2023 |
MF | Ousseini Badamassi | 21 April 1997 | 11 | 1 | Mazembe | v. Libya, 17 October 2023 |
FW | Kairou Amoustapha | 1 January 2001 | 8 | 1 | Cancún | v. Burkina Faso, 26 March 2024 |
FW | Zakari Junior Lambo | 19 January 1999 | 11 | 1 | La Louvière | v. Senegal, 8 January 2024 |
FW | Mohamed Wonkoye | 19 May 1994 | 48 | 6 | Horoya | v. Senegal, 8 January 2024 |
FW | Seybou Koita | 15 April 1994 | 10 | 0 | Oman Club | v. Libya, 17 October 2023 |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Records
edit- As of 4 September 2024[20]
- Players in bold are still active with Niger.
Most appearances
editRank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kassaly Daouda | 89 | 0 | 2002–2022 |
2 | Koffi Dan Kowa | 67 | 4 | 2008–2018 |
3 | Abdoulaye Katkoré | 62 | 0 | 2014–present |
4 | Youssouf Oumarou | 59 | 4 | 2013–present |
5 | Victorien Adebayor | 55 | 20 | 2015–present |
6 | Moussa Maâzou | 54 | 13 | 2008–2021 |
Amadou Moutari | 54 | 3 | 2012–present | |
8 | Lassina Konaté | 53 | 1 | 2006–2016 |
Souleymane Sacko | 53 | 3 | 2007–2019 | |
10 | Mohamed Chikoto | 48 | 2 | 2008–2016 |
Mohamed Wonkoye | 48 | 6 | 2012–present |
Top goalscorers
editRank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Victorien Adebayor | 20 | 55 | 0.36 | 2015–present |
2 | Moussa Maâzou | 13 | 54 | 0.24 | 2008–2021 |
3 | Kamilou Daouda | 10 | 37 | 0.27 | 2007–2019 |
4 | Mounkaila Ide Barkire | 7 | 13 | 0.54 | 1992–1998 |
5 | Zakari Lambo | 6 | 10 | 0.6 | 1990–1995 |
Daniel Sosah | 6 | 19 | 0.32 | 2021–present | |
Mohamed Wonkoye | 6 | 48 | 0.13 | 2012–present | |
8 | Mahamane Cissé | 5 | 38 | 0.13 | 2013–present |
9 | Moussa Yahaya | 4 | 16 | 0.25 | 1992–1998 |
Mossi Issa Moussa | 4 | 17 | 0.24 | 2012–present | |
Issa Djibrilla | 4 | 26 | 0.15 | 2020–present | |
Modibo Sidibé | 4 | 27 | 0.15 | 2010–2019 | |
Youssouf Oumarou | 4 | 58 | 0.07 | 2013–present | |
Koffi Dan Kowa | 4 | 67 | 0.06 | 2008–2018 |
Competitive record
editFIFA World Cup
edit
|
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 to 1958 | Part of France | Part of France | |||||||||||||
1962 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||
1966 to 1974 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
1978 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||
1982 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||
1986 | Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
1990 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
1994 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
1998 | Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
2002 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
2006 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||
2010 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 11 | |||||||||
2014 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 | |||||||||
2018 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | |||||||||
2022 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 17 | |||||||||
2026 | To be determined | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
2030 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
2034 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 0/15 | 37 | 11 | 6 | 20 | 40 | 66 |
Africa Cup of Nations
editAfrica Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
1957 | Part of France | |||||||
1959 | ||||||||
1962 | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
1963 | ||||||||
1965 | ||||||||
1968 | Did not enter | |||||||
1970 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1972 | ||||||||
1974 | Withdrew | |||||||
1976 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1978 | Withdrew | |||||||
1980 | ||||||||
1982 | Did not enter | |||||||
1984 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1986 | Did not enter | |||||||
1988 | ||||||||
1990 | ||||||||
1992 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1994 | ||||||||
1996 | Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
1998 | Disqualified for withdrawing in 1996 | |||||||
2000 to 2010 |
Did not qualify | |||||||
2012 | Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
2013 | 15th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
2015 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2017 | ||||||||
2019 | ||||||||
2021 | ||||||||
2023 | ||||||||
2025 | To be determined | |||||||
2027 | ||||||||
2029 | ||||||||
Total | Group stage | 2/34 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
African Nations Championship
editAfrican Nations Championship record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 4 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
2009 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2011 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
2014 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2016 | Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 11 |
2018 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2020 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2022 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
Total | Fourth place | 4/7 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 23 |
Head-to-head record
edit- As of 9 September 2024
Opponent | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Differential |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Algeria | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 27 | −24 |
Angola | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 |
Benin | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 24 | −7 |
Botswana | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
Burundi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
Burkina Faso | 18 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 26 | −11 |
Cameroon | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
Central African Republic | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 |
Chad | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
Congo | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | −8 |
Djibouti | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 | +7 |
DR Congo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
Egypt | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 19 | −17 |
Equatorial Guinea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Ethiopia | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | −3 |
Eswatini | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
Gabon | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 16 | −10 |
Gambia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
Ghana | 12 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 39 | −34 |
Guinea | 7 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 13 | −4 |
Ivory Coast | 13 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 29 | −20 |
Lesotho | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Liberia | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | −3 |
Libya | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 13 | −6 |
Madagascar | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | −4 |
Mali | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 10 | −6 |
Mauritania | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 |
Morocco | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | −14 |
Mozambique | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Namibia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
Nigeria | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | −6 |
Senegal | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 | −4 |
Sierra Leone | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 15 | −3 |
Somalia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +1 |
South Africa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 |
Sudan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
Tanzania | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
Togo | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | −2 |
Uganda | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | -2 |
Ukraine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
United Arab Emirates | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
Zambia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
43 Countries | 214 | 46 | 48 | 119 | 198 | 377 | −179 |
Honours
editRegional
edit- West African Nations Cup
- Third place (1): 1986
- UEMOA Tournament
- Champions (1): 2010
- Runners-up (2): 2007, 2009
Notes
edit- ^ a b Congo refused to travel for their home matches on 6 and 11 June, insisting that they be played in Brazzaville.[17] Cite error: The named reference "CGO June 24" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
References
edit- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ Orange 2012 Afcon qualifiers :130 Million FCFA for the Menas Archived 2011-11-09 at the Wayback Machine. 22/05/2011 StarAfrica sports.
- ^ Menas to test Pharaohs form Archived 2010-10-13 at the Wayback Machine. Confederation of African Football. 10-09-2010
- ^ Dama Gazelle Nanger dama Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine. Sahara Conservation Fund, 2007, 2011.
- ^ "CAN 2019 : la liste du Niger contre l'Egypte sans Maazou". Afrik-Foot. March 21, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ "Niger team of 2019". national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
- ^ "Project MENA is dedicated to assisting MENA, the Niger national soccer team. The project aimed to raise enough money to send the team to compete for the 2010 African Cup in Angola". Archived from the original on 2008-04-26.
- ^ CHAN 2011 : Un Niger héroïque mais éliminé par le Soudan – Football/CHAN 2011 – RFI Archived 2012-01-24 at the Wayback Machine 2011-02-19
- ^ "Niger in historic qualification despite Cairo loss". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2011-10-08. Archived from the original on 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
- ^ Fixtures, results and tables for the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Archived 2012-01-28 at the Wayback Machine BBC Sport.
- ^ "Niger 0-1 Morocco". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2021-11-15. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
- ^ "2013 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers - Qualifier Rounds - MTNFootball". Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ^ "Ghana cruises into African Cup quarters". GhanaWeb. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ "Страница не найдена". shakhtar.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-15. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
- ^ "Ukraine-Niger | European Qualifiers". Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
- ^ Al Nassim, Hommam (5 June 2024). "Congo withdraws from its match with Niger in World Cup qualifiers". Northern Africa News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "Martial named Niger coach". BBC News. 26 November 2002. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- ^ "La Liste". Facebook. Fédération Nigérienne De Football.
- ^ "Niger". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2023-09-09. Retrieved 2022-06-15.