Football in the Republic of the Congo
Encyclopedia
Football is the number one sport in the Congo
. The national team, known as Diables Rouges (meaning the Red Devils), has reached the finals of the African Cup of Nations
on six occasions. They won the Gold medal in Cameroon
in 1972, and also reached the semi-finals two years later in Egypt
. Several good players have come out of the Congo
, many of whom have gone to France
to play. In 1974, Paul Sayal Moukila
won the Golden Ball for the African Player of the Year.
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
. The national team, known as Diables Rouges (meaning the Red Devils), has reached the finals of the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
on six occasions. They won the Gold medal in Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
in 1972, and also reached the semi-finals two years later in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. Several good players have come out of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
, many of whom have gone to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to play. In 1974, Paul Sayal Moukila
Paul Moukila
Paul Sayal Moukila was a Congolese international footballer and winner of the 1974 African Footballer of the Year award.-Career:Born in Souanké, Moukila began playing football for local side CARA Brazzaville...
won the Golden Ball for the African Player of the Year.