Niger national football team

History

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

Results and fixtures

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

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

• Afriyie
• Badamassi
• Sako

2025

• Oumarou
• Saibari
• El Khannouss
• Al-Sadi
• Al-Ghafri
• Al-Ghassani
• Goumey
• Saibari
• El Kaabi
• Igamane
• Ounahi
• Sosah
• Sosah
• Oumarou
• Adebayor
• Bassinga
• Sosah

Coaching history

• Germany Heinz-Peter Uberjahn (1981–1986)
• Niger Soumaila Tiemogo (1992)
• Niger David Nadjadoum (1992–1994)
• Niger Soumaila Tiemogo (1998)
• France Amadou Toure (1998)
• France Patrice Neveu (1999–2000)
• France Jean-Yves Chay (2000)
• Ivory Coast Yeo Martial (2002–2003)
• Togo Bana Tchanile (2006–2007)
• Niger Hamey Amadou (2007–2008)
• Romania Dan Anghelescu (2008)
• Niger Frederic Costa (2008–2009)
• Niger Harouna Doula Gabde (2009–2012)
• France Rolland Courbis (2012)
• Germany Gernot Rohr (2012–2014)
• Niger Cheick Omar Diabate (2014–2015)
• Ivory Coast François Zahoui (2015–2019)
• France Jean-Guy Wallemme (2019–2020)
• France Jean-Michel Cavalli (2020–2023)
• Niger Zakaria Yaou Ibrahim (Interim) (2023)
• Morocco Ezzaki Badou (2023–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group E match against Morocco and the friendly against Bonaire on 21 and 25 March 2025.

Caps and goals are correct as of 21 March 2025, after the match against Morocco.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Niger in the last 12 months. 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

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: Niger at the Africa Cup of Nations

African Nations Championship

UEMOA Tournament

Main article: UEMOA Tournament

Head-to-head record

Honours

Regional

• West African Nations Cup
  • Third place (1): 1986
• UEMOA Tournament
  • Champions (1): 2010
  • Runners-up (2): 2007, 2009

Notes

References

References

1. [http://www.starafrica.com/en/football/news/article/view/orange-2012-afcon-qualifiers-130-millio-167435.html Orange 2012 Afcon qualifiers :130 Million FCFA for the Menas] {{webarchive. link. (2011-11-09. 22/05/2011 StarAfrica sports.)
2. [http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/news/6795-menas-to-test-pharaohs-form.html Menas to test Pharaohs form] {{Webarchive. link. (2010-10-13. Confederation of African Football. 10-09-2010)
3. [http://www.saharaconservation.org/?Dama-Gazelle Dama Gazelle Nanger dama] {{Webarchive. link. (2015-09-24. Sahara Conservation Fund, 2007, 2011.)
4. (March 21, 2019). "CAN 2019 : la liste du Niger contre l'Egypte sans Maazou".
5. "Niger team of 2019". National Football Teams.
6. "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.".
7. [http://www.rfi.fr/afrique-foot/20110219-chan-2011-niger-heroique-mais-elimine-le-soudan CHAN 2011 : Un Niger héroïque mais éliminé par le Soudan – Football/CHAN 2011 – RFI] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-01-24 2011-02-19)
8. (2011-10-08). "Niger in historic qualification despite Cairo loss". British Broadcasting Corporation.
9. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8613171.stm Fixtures, results and tables for the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-01-28 BBC Sport.)
10. "Niger 0-1 Morocco". BBC Sport.
11. "2013 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers - Qualifier Rounds - MTNFootball".
12. (January 28, 2013). "Ghana cruises into African Cup quarters".
13. "Страница не найдена".
14. "Ukraine-Niger".
15. (26 November 2002). "Martial named Niger coach". BBC News.
16. (13 March 2025). "Publication officielle de la liste des joueurs convoqués #MENA pour la double confrontation contre le MAROC ET BONAIRE". Fédération Nigérienne De Football.
17. "Niger".