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]
![]() | ||||
Nickname(s) | Ménas | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Nigerien Football Federation | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | WAFU (West Africa) | |||
Head coach | Jean-Michel Cavalli | |||
Captain | Kassaly Daouda | |||
Most caps | Kassaly Daouda (89) | |||
Top scorer | Victorien Adebayor (17) | |||
Home stadium | Stade Seyni Kountché | |||
FIFA code | NIG | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 121 ![]() | |||
Highest | 68 (November 1994) | |||
Lowest | 196 (August 2002) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; 25 December 1961) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Niamey, Niger; 12 October 1990) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; 27 December 1961) | ||||
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2012) | |||
Best result | Group stage (2012, 2013) |
Although 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.[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]
Win Draw Loss
12 November 2022 World Cup qualification | Burkina Faso ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Marrakesh, Morocco |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco) |
15 November 2022 World Cup qualification | Niger ![]() | 7–2 | ![]() | Niamey, Niger |
17:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade Général Seyni Kountché Referee: Mohamed Youssouf Athoumani (Comoros) |
23 March Friendly | Niger ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Nouakchott, Mauritania |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Referee: Babacar Sarr (Mauritania) |
26 March Friendly | Libya ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Nouakchott, Mauritania |
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Referee: Abdel Aziz Mohamed Bouh (Mauritania) |
4 June 2023 AFCON qualification | Niger ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Cotonou, Benin |
17:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Komlanvi Aklassou (Togo) |
8 June 2023 AFCON qualification | Uganda ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Entebbe, Uganda |
16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende Referee: Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea) |
23 September Friendly | Egypt ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Alexandria, Egypt |
Stadium: Borg El Arab Stadium |
The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Tanzania and Uganda on 4 and 8 June 2022.[17]
Caps and goals are correct as of 8 June 2022, after the match against Uganda.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1GK | Kassaly Daouda | (1983-08-19) 19 August 1983 (age 39) | 89 | 0 | ![]() | |
1GK | Naim Van Attenhoven | (2003-01-31) 31 January 2003 (age 19) | 7 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Abdoulaye Katakoré | (1993-03-26) 26 March 1993 (age 29) | 40 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Ousmane Diabaté | (1994-07-09) 9 July 1994 (age 28) | 29 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Abdoul Razak Seyni | (1990-01-01) 1 January 1990 (age 32) | 19 | 1 | ![]() | |
2DF | Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim | (1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 (age 26) | 18 | 1 | ![]() | |
2DF | Abdoulaye Karim Doudou | (1998-09-25) 25 September 1998 (age 24) | 6 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Rahim Alhassane | (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Djibrilla Ibrahim Mossi | (2002-03-02) 2 March 2002 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Youssouf Oumarou | (1993-02-16) 16 February 1993 (age 29) | 50 | 4 | ![]() | |
3MF | Mohamed Wonkoye | (1994-05-19) 19 May 1994 (age 28) | 41 | 5 | ![]() | |
3MF | Abdoul Madjid Moumouni | (1994-05-10) 10 May 1994 (age 28) | 21 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Amadou Sabo | (2000-05-30) 30 May 2000 (age 22) | 13 | 2 | ![]() | |
3MF | Abdoul Moumouni | (2002-08-07) 7 August 2002 (age 20) | 9 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Boubacar Goumey | (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 22) | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Hassane Adamou | (2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Moussa Kassa Moudou | (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Moustapha Sabo | (2004-09-14) 14 September 2004 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
4FW | Amadou Moutari | (1994-01-19) 19 January 1994 (age 28) | 48 | 2 | ![]() | |
4FW | Victorien Adebayor | (1996-11-12) 12 November 1996 (age 26) | 46 | 17 | ![]() | |
4FW | Mahamane Cissé | (1993-12-27) 27 December 1993 (age 28) | 36 | 5 | ![]() | |
4FW | Issa Djibrilla | (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 26) | 18 | 4 | ![]() | |
4FW | Daniel Sosah | (1998-09-21) 21 September 1998 (age 24) | 9 | 3 | ![]() | |
4FW | Ibrahim Marou | (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 22) | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
4FW | Salam Boulhassan | (2001-01-18) 18 January 2001 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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 | Oumarou Issaka | (1990-02-12) 12 February 1990 (age 32) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
GK | Abdoul Boubacar | (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Abdoul Garba | (1991-12-23) 23 December 1991 (age 30) | 26 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Yacouba Diori | (1997-09-08) 8 September 1997 (age 25) | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Abdoul Aziz Hourba | (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 27) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Farouk Idrissa | (2000-02-12) 12 February 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Boubacar Hama | (2002-05-17) 17 May 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Salifou Massoudi | (2004-07-11) 11 July 2004 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Abdoulaye Boureima Katakoré | (1993-03-26) 26 March 1993 (age 29) | 34 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Hervé Lybohy | (1983-07-24) 24 July 1983 (age 39) | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Zakariya Souleymane | (1994-12-29) 29 December 1994 (age 27) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Ousseini Badamassi | (1997-04-21) 21 April 1997 (age 25) | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Ali Mohamed | (1995-10-07) 7 October 1995 (age 27) | 39 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Yussif Moussa | (1998-09-04) 4 September 1998 (age 24) | 15 | 1 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Abdoul Kader Djibo | (1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 (age 31) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Seybou Koita | (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 (age 28) | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Fabrice Yao | (1995-12-29) 29 December 1995 (age 26) | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Zakari Junior Lambo | (1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 (age 23) | 9 | 1 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
|
|
|
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup qualification | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
![]() | Part of ![]() | Part of ![]() | |||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||
![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||
![]() |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 11 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 | |||||||||
![]() |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 17 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | 0/22 | 36 | 11 | 6 | 19 | 40 | 65 |
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
![]() | Part of ![]() | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | |||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | |||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | |||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
![]() |
Disqualified for withdrawing in 1996 | |||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() ![]() |
Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
![]() |
15th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
To be determined | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
Total | Group stage | 2/33 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
African Nations Championship | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 3 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 11 |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
![]() | Qualified | |||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 3/6 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 17 |
Opponent | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Differential |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 14 | −13 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 |
![]() |
15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 24 | −7 |
![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
![]() |
15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 22 | −9 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | −7 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
![]() |
13 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 29 | −20 |
![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 16 | −14 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
![]() |
6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 13 | −8 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() |
11 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 38 | −34 |
![]() |
7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 11 | −3 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
![]() |
7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 10 | −3 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | −4 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | −4 |
![]() |
8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 10 | −6 |
![]() |
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 |
![]() |
7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | −14 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | −6 |
![]() |
5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | −3 |
![]() |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 15 | −4 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 |
![]() |
9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 14 | −1 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | −2 |
![]() |
5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
38 Countries | 174 | 37 | 38 | 99 | 156 | 320 | −164 |
![]() | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nigerien Football Federation | |||||
National teams |
| ||||
League system |
| ||||
Domestic cups |
| ||||
Awards |
| ||||
Lists |
| ||||
|
National football teams of Africa (CAF) | |
---|---|
North Africa (UNAF) | |
West Africa (WAFU) | |
East Africa (CECAFA) | |
Central Africa (UNIFFAC) | |
Southern Africa (COSAFA) | |
Non-regional Members | |
![]() |
West African Football Union | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
International competitions |
| ||||||
Club competitions |
| ||||||
Affiliated football associations |
| ||||||
Men's national teams |
| ||||||
Women's national teams |
| ||||||
Prizes |
|
![]() | |
---|---|
|
2013 Africa Cup of Nations finalists | |
---|---|
Winner | |
Second place | |
Third place | |
Fourth place | |
Eliminated in quarterfinals | |
Eliminated in group stage |
Niger squad – 2012 Africa Cup of Nations | ||
---|---|---|
![]() |
Niger squad – 2013 Africa Cup of Nations | ||
---|---|---|
![]() |