Niger national football team

The Niger national football team[2][3] 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[4] The Dama appears on their badge in the colors of the national flag. [5][6]

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Niger women's national football team.
Niger
Nickname(s)Ménas
AssociationNigerien Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachJean-Michel Cavalli
CaptainKassaly Daouda
Most capsKassaly Daouda (86)
Top scorerVictorien Adebayor (15)
Home stadiumStade Seyni Kountché
FIFA codeNIG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 113 8 (19 November 2021)[1]
Highest68 (November 1994)
Lowest196 (August 2002)
First international
 Niger 2–2 Chad 
(Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; 25 December 1961)
Biggest win
 Niger 7–1 Mauritania 
(Niamey, Niger; 12 October 1990)
Biggest defeat
 Congo 10–0 Niger
(Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; 27 December 1961)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2012)
Best resultGroup stage (2012, 2013)

History

Although one of the weaker 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.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9][10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

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.[13] 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.[14][15]

Results and fixtures
Main article: Niger national football team results (2020–present)

  Win   Draw   Loss

2021
17 January 2020 CHAN Libya  0–0  Niger Japoma Stadium, Douala
17:00 Report Referee: Daniel Laryea (Ghana)
21 January 2020 CHAN Congo  1–1  Niger Japoma Stadium, Douala
20:00
  • Mouandza  35'
 Report
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
25 January 2020 CHAN Niger  1–2  DR Congo Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé
20:00
Report
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
26 March 2021 AFCONQ Niger  0–3  Ivory Coast Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)
30 March 2021 AFCONQ Madagascar  0–0  Niger Toamasina, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Barikadimy Stadium
Referee: Eric Otogo-Castane (Gabon)
5 June Friendly Niger  0–2  Gambia Manavgat, Turkey
18:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen (Turkey)
7 June Friendly Togo  Cancelled  Niger Turkey
Report
9 June Friendly Niger  0–1  Congo Manavgat, Turkey
19:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
11 June Friendly Guinea  2–1  Niger Manavgat, Turkey
17:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
2 September 2022 World Cup qualification Niger  0–2  Burkina Faso Marrakesch, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Attendance: 0
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
6 September 2022 World Cup qualification Djibouti  2–4  Niger Rabat, Morocco
14:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
8 October 2022 World Cup qualification Algeria  6–1  Niger Blida, Algeria
 Report
Stadium: Mustapha Tchaker Stadium
Referee: Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)
12 October 2022 World Cup qualification Niger  0–4  Algeria Niamey, Niger
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade Général Seyni Kountché
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
12 November 2022 World Cup qualification Burkina Faso  1–1  Niger Marrakesh, Morocco
 Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)
15 November 2022 World Cup qualification Niger  7–2  Djibouti Niamey, Niger
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade Général Seyni Kountché
Referee: Mohamed Youssouf Athoumani (Comoros)

Coaching history

Players

Current squad
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Kassaly Daouda (1983-08-19) 19 August 1983 88 0 Katsina United
1GK Naim Van Attenhoven (2003-01-31) 31 January 2003 3 0 Anderlecht
1GK Oumarou Issaka (1990-02-12) 12 February 1990 0 0 AS FAN
2DF Abdoul Garba (1991-12-23) 23 December 1991 21 0 AS Douanes
2DF Abdoul Razak Seyni (1990-01-01) 1 January 1990 17 1 AS SONIDEP
2DF Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim (1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 16 1 Nigelec
2DF Yacouba Diori (1997-09-08) 8 September 1997 10 0 CD Castellón
2DF Djibrilla Mossi (2002-03-02) 2 March 2002 4 0 Fremad Amager
2DF Abdoul Aziz Hourba (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 1 0 AS Douanes
2DF Farouk Idrissa (2000-02-12) 12 February 2000 0 0 US GN
2DF Salifou Massoudi 0 0 AS FAN
2DF Boubacar Hama (2002-05-17) 17 May 2002 0 0 AS SONIDEP
3MF Youssouf Oumarou (1993-02-16) 16 February 1993 45 4 San Pédro
3MF Ali Mohamed (1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 39 0 Maccabi Haifa
3MF Mohamed Wonkoye (1994-05-19) 19 May 1994 38 5 Horoya
3MF Ousmane Diabaté (1994-07-09) 9 July 1994 24 0 Muaither
3MF Abdoul Madjid Moumouni (1994-05-10) 10 May 1994 18 0 Al-Minaa
3MF Yussif Moussa (1998-09-04) 4 September 1998 15 1 Bnei Yehuda
3MF Abdoul Moumouni (2002-08-07) 7 August 2002 8 0 Sheriff Tiraspol
3MF Amadou Sabo (2000-05-30) 30 May 2000 8 1 Club Africain
3MF Abdoul Kader Djibo (1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 2 0 AS Douanes
4FW Amadou Moutari (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 43 2 Al-Fayha
4FW Victorien Adebayor (1996-11-12) 12 November 1996 41 15 ENPPI
4FW Issa Djibrilla (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 14 4 Ankara Keçiörengücü
4FW Zakari Junior Lambo (1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 7 1 Royal Knokke
4FW Ibrahim Marou (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 4 0 AS FAN
4FW Daniel Sosah (1998-09-21) 21 September 1998 4 2 Isloch
4FW Salam Boulhassan (2001-01-18) 18 January 2001 1 0 Nigelec

Recent call-ups

The 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 Abdoul Boubacar (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 0 0 AS FAN vs.  Algeria, 12 October 2021
GK Moussa Alzouma (1982-09-30) 30 September 1982 8 0 AS GNN vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
GK Abdoul Haildou (1992-04-04) 4 April 1992 0 0 AS SONIDEP vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
DF Abdoulaye Boureima Katakoré (1993-03-26) 26 March 1993 34 0 AS FAN vs.  Algeria, 12 October 2021
DF Hervé Lybohy (1983-07-24) 24 July 1983 10 0 Èvian vs.  Algeria, 12 October 2021
DF Zakariya Souleymane (1994-12-29) 29 December 1994 2 0 Lorient vs.  Algeria, 12 October 2021
DF Abdoulkarim Mamoudou (1995-11-26) 26 November 1995 6 0 AS GNN vs.  Djibouti, 6 September 2021
DF Amadou Harouna (1994-03-25) 25 March 1994 6 0 Nigelec vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
MF Soune Soungole (1995-02-26) 26 February 1995 5 0 Bisha FC vs.  Guinea, 11 June 2021
MF Boubacar Talatou (1987-12-03) 3 December 1987 24 0 Djoliba AC vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
MF Issah Salou (1999-02-04) 4 February 1999 3 0 Randers vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
MF Fabrice Yao (1995-12-29) 29 December 1995 1 0 Mondorf-les-Bains vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
FW Seybou Koita (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 6 0 Free agent vs.  Guinea, 11 June 2021
FW Kairou Amoustapha (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 1 0 Cancún vs.  Guinea, 11 June 2021
FW Moussa Maâzou (1988-08-25) 25 August 1988 54 13 Jeunesse Esch vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
FW Idrissa Halidou (1982-07-03) 3 July 1982 15 3 AS GNN vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021
FW Boubacar Haïnikoye (1998-10-07) 7 October 1998 7 1 CR Belouizdad vs.  Madagascar, 30 March 2021

DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
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 November 2021
Players in bold are still active with Niger.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup record
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