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Congo national under-23 football team

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Congo Olympic football team (U-23)
Nickname(s)Les Diables Rouges
(The Red Devils)
AssociationFédération Congolaise de Football (FECOFOOT)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coachCyril Ndonga
CaptainBorel Tomandzoto
Home stadiumStade Municipal de Kintélé
Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
FIFA codeCGO
First colours
Second colours
U-23 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 2023)
Best resultGroup stage (2023)

The Congo Olympic football team represents Republic of the Congo (RotC) in international football competitions in Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players. The team is controlled by the Congolese Football Federation.[1]

History

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The team was founded in 2011 with the goal of participating in the newly established CAF competition, the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations. In their inaugural participation, the team faced a tough challenge in the first qualifying round against Uganda. However, they exhibited resilience and determination, ultimately securing qualification through a penalty shootout. Subsequently, the team experienced a period of relative quiet, but in 2023, they achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Their journey to this prestigious event included a noteworthy victory over South Africa in the third round of the tournament. Upon reaching the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, they were placed in Group A alongside the host nation, Morocco, as well as Guinea and Ghana. Although they finished fourth in the group stage, this experience provided them with valuable lessons.[2] Their matches included a thrilling 3-2 loss to Ghana in the first game,[3] a competitive 3-1 defeat against Guinea in the second game,[4] and a hard-fought 1-0[5] loss to the Atlas Lions of Morocco in their final match.

Competitive record

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Africa U-23 Cup of Nations record

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U-23 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Morocco 2011 did not qualify
Senegal 2015
Egypt 2019
Morocco 2023 Group Stage 7th 3 0 0 3 3 7
Total Group Stage 1/4 3 0 0 3 3 7

References

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  1. ^ "Ghana paired with Morocco, Congo and Guinea in U-23 AFCON". Ghana Football Association. 6 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Congo U23 coach Ndonga acknowledges lessons learned despite defeats". CAFOnline.com. 28 June 2023.
  3. ^ "TotalEnergies U23 AFCON: Yeboah's heroics secure thrilling victory for Ghana in five-goal spectacle". CAFOnline.com. 25 June 2023.
  4. ^ "TotalEnergies U23 AFCON: Guinea resurrect prospects with convincing win over 10-man Congo". CAFOnline.com. 27 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Morocco finish top of Group A, Congo departs empty-handed". CAFOnline.com. 30 June 2023.