Chad national football team
Nickname(s) | Les Sao | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Chadian Football Federation | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | UNIFFAC (Central Africa) | ||
Head coach | Djimtan Yatamadji | ||
Captain | Ezechiel N'Douassel[1][2] | ||
Most caps | Ezechiel N'Douassel (39) | ||
Top scorer | Ezechiel N'Douassel (9) | ||
Home stadium | Stade Idriss Mahamat Ouya | ||
FIFA code | CHA | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 179 ![]() | ||
Highest | 97 (April 2016) | ||
Lowest | 190 (June–September 1997) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; December 25, 1961) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Gabon; June 29, 1976) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Unofficial ![]() ![]() (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; December 27, 1961) Official ![]() ![]() (Congo; March 28, 1964) |
The Chad national football team, nicknamed Sao, represents Chad in international football and is controlled by the Chadian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country. The team has never qualified for the World Cup finals or Africa Cup of Nations. Home matches are played at the Idriss Mahamat Ouya Stadium.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] In April 2021, FIFA banned the Chad national football team from participating in global football over the Chadian government's interference with the Chadian Football Federation.[13]
History[edit]
The Chadian Football Federation was founded in 1962, and affiliated to FIFA and to CAF in 1988.
Chad's national football team did not play a big role in world football until the 1990s. They did not enter any qualifiers for Continental or World Cups until the early 1990s when they played their first qualifying matches for the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Senegal.[14] Until then, they played mostly friendly matches and minor cups, mostly with African teams.
The national team had a difficult start − the first match they ever played was in the L'Amitié Tournament, which took place in Senegal in 1963, and it was a 2–1 defeat to Liberia. Soon after, they suffered a 6–2 loss to Dahomey (now Benin).
The Chad national football team never qualified for either the Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup. Their first participation in the World Cup qualifiers was in 2000 when they were eliminated in the first round by Liberia, losing 0–1 at home, and playing 0–0 away. They were coached by Marcel Mao. Their next attempt was in 2003, under Yann Djim, but they were eliminated by Angola. They won their first home game when Francis Oumar Belonga scored a hat trick, 3–1. They lost their away match 2–0, and went no further. The qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup brought more matches because they played in a group phase together with Mali, Sudan and Congo. They finished at the bottom of the group, with six points (two wins and four losses).
In the qualifying competition for the 2014 World Cup, Chad faced Tanzania in a first-round playoff. Tanzania advanced despite shockingly losing 1–0 at home at Dar es Salaam's National Stadium. The Taifa Stars were tipped for an emphatic victory over the visitors, having won the first-leg 2–1 in N'Djamena. Chad stunned the home side three minutes after the break when Mahamat Ahmat Labo struck to silence the home crowd. But Tanzania managed to progress to the next round thanks to the away goals rule as they were tied 2–2 on aggregate.
Chad played against Malawi in the qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Chad won the first leg match 3–2, but lost 2–0 in Blantyre to be eliminated with an aggregate score of 4–3.[15]
In the qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Malawi was the opponent once again. Chad lost 2–0 in the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, but they won 3–1 in at Idriss Mahamat Ouya Stadium in N'Djamena, losing on the away goals rule. Forward Robin Ngalande turned into a savior for Malawi when he came off the bench to score a crucial late goal.
The biggest achievement for Chad so far is a CEMAC Cup (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa) title in 2014, after beating Congo 3–2 in the final on December 14 in Bata, Equatorial Guinea. The team was managed by French coach Emmanuel Trégoat.[16] Their previous best was a second place in the 2005 edition, when they lost to Cameroon in the final.[17]
Les Sao had a disappointing start into their qualifying campaign for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, losing 2–0 to Nigeria and slumping to a 5–1 defeat at home against Egypt. But it was then that things took a turn for the better, as coach Moudou Kouta, who was in charge of the side on an interim basis, took the team to an unexpected victory against Sierra Leone in the first round of the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. Les Sao won 1–0[18] at home and even though they were beaten 2–1[19] in the return leg, they advanced to the second round of the qualifiers on away goals. Chad sensationally defeated Egypt 1–0 at home in the second round before falling to a 4–0 defeat in Alexandria three days later.
In March 2016, the Chadian Football Federation announced they were withdrawing from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification due to financial problems. The team was subsequently banned from entering the following edition, meaning they would play no official games for over three years until September 2019, when Chad lost 1–3 at home to Sudan in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. A month later Les Sao defeated Liberia on penalties to reach the Group Stage of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
In March 2021, the Chadian government dissolved the Chadian Football Federation, leaving Chad facing a likely ban under FIFA regulations that prevent governments from interfering in the running of a country’s football team.[20] In April 2021, FIFA announced an indefinite ban from global football, citing the Chadian government's interference.[13] Due to this decision, CAF disqualified Chad from its participation in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.[21]
Kits[edit]
Kit provider | Period |
---|---|
![]() |
1974-1979 |
![]() |
1980–1992 |
![]() |
1993–2000 |
![]() |
2001–2020 |
![]() |
2021–present |
During the independent of Chad, the team competed in international matches and played in an Blue shirt, Blue Shorts, Red Socks like the national colour of the France. Until in the 1970's Chad home color change by using the national color which Blue-Yellow-Red. Their first away kit in 1960 was White shirt, Red Shorts, White socks. In 1980, the away kit color change into Red Shirt, Blue Shorts, Yellow Socks.
Recent results[edit]
2020[edit]
23 September 2020 Friendly | Chad ![]() | 2-3 | ![]() | N'Djamena, Chad |
16:30 UTC+1 | Stadium: Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya |
25 September 2020 Friendly | Chad ![]() | 0-2 | ![]() | N'Djamena, Chad |
Stadium: Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya |
Players[edit]
Current squad[edit]
The following players have been called up for the 2022 African Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Guinea on 11 and 15 November 2020.
Caps and goals current as of 15 November 2020 after the match against Guinea.
Recent call-ups[edit]
The following players have been called up for Chad in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Emmanuel Mifsud | 12 February 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Mbairamadji Dillah | 18 September 1985 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Nadjim Haroun | 10 June 1988 | 8 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Ninga Ndonane | 25 April 1988 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Azrack Mahamat | 24 March 1988 | 21 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Esaïe Djikoloum | 3 October 1991 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Léger Djimrangar | 2 October 1987 | 27 | 7 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Blaise Tohou | 17 February 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Karl Max Barthélémy | 27 October 1986 | 24 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Statistics[edit]

Most capped players[edit]
# | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ezechiel N'Douassel | 2005-present | 39 | 9 |
2 | Armand Djerabé | 2002–2011 | 31 | 0 |
3 | Léger Djimrangar | 2007–present | 27 | 7 |
Marius Mbaiam | 2003–2015 | 27 | 3 | |
5 | Karl Max Barthélémy | 2007–present | 24 | 2 |
6 | Hilaire Kédigui | 2006–2015 | 23 | 4 |
7 | Ahmat Brahim | 1999–2008 | 22 | 2 |
8 | Ahmed Medego | 2000–2010 | 21 | 2 |
Azrack Mahamat | 2008–present | 21 | 0 | |
10 | Habib Mahamat Saleh | 2003–2011 | 18 | 2 |
Casimir Ninga | 2011–present | 18 | 1 |
Last updated: 15 November 2020
Source: National Football Teams
Managers[edit]
Vasily Sokolov (1968–1970)
Viktor Sokolov (1967–1968, 1970–1971)
Anzor Kavazashvili (1976–1977)
Moussarou Ngongolo (1998)[22]
Yann Djim Ngarlendana (1998)[23]
Douba Djibrine (1999)[24]
Marcel Mao (2000)
Jean Paul Akono (2002–2003)
Yann Djim Ngarlendana (2003)
Yann Djim Ngarlendana (2005,[25] 2006 [26])
Oumar Mahamat a.k.a. Modou Kouta (2006)
Natoltiga Okalah (2006 – 2007[27] )
Mahamat Adoum (2007) [28]
Natoltiga Okalah (2008)
Sherif El-Khashab (2009–2011)
Moudou Kouta (September 2011 – December 2013) [29]
Emmanuel Trégoat (March 2014 – October 2015)[30]
Rigobert Song (October 2015 – November 2015)
Moudou Kouta (November 2015 – March 2016)
Djimtan Yatamadji (2019)
Emmanuel Trégoat (August 2019 – October 2020)
Djimtan Yatamadji (October 2020–)
|}
Competitive record[edit]
FIFA World Cup[edit]
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
![]() |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 11 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | − | 0/22 | − | − | − | − | − | − | 18 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
Africa Cup of Nations[edit]
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 during qualifying | |||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not enter | |||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | |||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() |
Disqualified in qualifying round | |||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
![]() |
Banned from competition | |||||||
![]() |
Disqualified in qualifying round | |||||||
![]() |
To be determined | |||||||
![]() | ||||||||
Total | − | 0/33 | − | − | − | − | − | − |
Head-to-head records against other countries[edit]
- As of 1 June 2014
Opponent | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Differential |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
![]() |
7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | −2 |
![]() |
13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 20 | −9 |
![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | −7 |
![]() |
7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
![]() |
10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 18 | −6 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 10 | −5 |
![]() |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 15 | −5 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | −7 |
![]() |
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | −7 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | −8 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
29 Countries | 94 | 23 | 24 | 47 | 89 | 151 | −64 |
Achievements[edit]
- CEMAC Cup :
- Winner: 2014
- 1 Time Runners-up
- UDEAC Championship :
- 2 Time Runners-up
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Njie brace gives Cameroon dramatic victory". cafonline.com. Confederation of African Football − CAF. 9 June 2015.
- ^ https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/qatar2022/preliminaries/africa/matches/match/400087266/#match-lineups
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
- ^ Ramadane, Mahamat. "Tchad : La liste des 22 joueurs retenus pour le match contre le Nigeria". Alwihdainfo.com.
- ^ Léger Djimrangar at National-Football-Teams.com
- ^ "Ligue des champions : les équipes tchadiennes éliminées". Tchadinfos.com. 1 March 2015.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Marius Mbaiam". National-football-teams.com.
- ^ "FIFA Tournaments - Players & Coaches - Karl Marx Barthélémy". FIFA.com.
- ^ "Semen Padang Resmi Kontrak Striker Asal Chad". goal.com.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Ezechiel Ndouassel". National-football-teams.com.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Casimir Ninga". National-football-teams.com.
- ^ a b "Fifa bans Chad from global football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
- ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Chad". Eloratings.net. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ "Malawi rallies to beat Chad in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers". Malawi Nyasa Times.
- ^ https://www.sofoot.com/emmanuel-tregoat-on-s-est-fait-cambrioler-notre-vestiaire-a-la-mi-temps-a-domicile-198125.html
- ^ https://allafrica.com/stories/201412160261.html
- ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Chad-Sierra Leone". FIFA.com.
- ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ - Matches - Sierra Leone-Chad". FIFA.com.
- ^ "Chad FA disbanded, facing Fifa ban". Goal.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ "Political meddling gets Chad kicked out of AFCON qualifiers". panafricanfootball.com. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Chad v Congo, 02 August 1998". 11v11.com.
- ^ "Congo v Chad, 16 August 1998". 11v11.com.
- ^ "International Matches 1999 - Africa". Rsssf.com.
- ^ "Coupe de la CEMAC 2005". Rsssf.com.
- ^ "Do your homework Bafana". News24.com.
- ^ ER (5 March 2007). "Coupe Cemac 2007 : Les Saos domptent les Lions A' 2 à 1". Camfoot.com.
- ^ "Zambia : Chad leave Zambia in a dust storm". Lusakatimes.com. 16 June 2007.
- ^ "TCHADSPORT - Page 17". Tchadsport.centerblog.net.
- ^ "TCHADSPORT". Tchadsport.centerblog.net.