Chad national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Chad women's national football team.

Chad

Nickname(s)	Les Sao
Association	Chadian Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coach	Djimtan Yatamadji
Captain	Ezechiel N'Douassel
Most caps	Ezechiel N'Douassel (39)
Top scorer	Ezechiel N'Douassel (9)
Home stadium	Stade Idriss Mahamat Ouya
FIFA code	CHA
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	179 1 (7 April 2021)
Highest	97 (April 2016)
Lowest	190 (June–September 1997)
First international
Chad 2–2 Niger (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; December 25, 1961)
Biggest win
Chad 5–0 São Tomé and Príncipe (Gabon; June 29, 1976)
Biggest defeat
Unofficial France Amateur 14–0 Chad (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; December 27, 1961) Official Congo 11–0 Chad (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. 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.

History

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. 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.

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. Their previous best was a second place in the 2005 edition, when they lost to Cameroon in the final.

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 at home and even though they were beaten 2–1 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. In April 2021, FIFA announced an indefinite ban from global football, citing the Chadian government's interference. Due to this decision, CAF disqualified Chad from its participation in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

Kits

Kit provider	Period
Salamant	1974-1979
Mitre	1980–1992
Fila	1993–2000
Adidas	2001–2020
Anta	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

2020

Chad v Sudan

23 September 2020 Friendly	Chad	2-3	Sudan	N'Djamena, Chad
16:30 UTC+1	Kerim  25' Bechir  40'		Mohamed  10' (pen.) Yasir  62' Moaaz  68'	Stadium: Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya

Chad v Sudan

25 September 2020 Friendly	Chad	0-2	Sudan	N'Djamena, Chad
				Stadium: Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya

Niger v Chad

10 October 2020 Friendly	Niger	2-0	Chad	Niamey, Niger
				Stadium: Stade Seyni Kountché

Players

Current squad

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.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Gabin Allambatnan	(2000-02-19) 19 February 2000	3	0	Foullah Edifice
13	1GK	Mathieu Adoassou	(1993-11-11) 11 November 1993	7	0	Renaissance
22	1GK	Serge Diguel	(1994-10-31) 31 October 1994	0	0	Indeni
3	2DF	Morgan Betorangal	(1988-08-25) 25 August 1988	13	0	Houilles
5	2DF	Bechir Seid Djimet	(1994-01-10) 10 January 1994	8	1	Elect-Sport
8	2DF	Ahmat Abderamane	(1993-01-01) 1 January 1993	5	1	Renaissance
14	2DF	Constant Madtoingué	(1987-09-23) 23 September 1987	17	0	CotonTchad
19	2DF	Aubin Mbaïgolmem	(1994-10-22) 22 October 1994	1	0	Foullah Edifice
23	2DF	Abdelaziz Issa Seini	(1995-01-02) 2 January 1995	4	0	Renaissance
	2DF	Collyns Ambassa	(1995-10-09) 9 October 1995	7	0	Cormontreuil
6	3MF	Éric Mbangossoum	(2000-05-26) 26 May 2000	8	0	Tourougui
13	3MF	Joël Djingar		0	0	Foullah Edifice
15	3MF	Aboubakar Abderahim	(1997-10-27) 27 October 1997	2	0	Tourbillon
17	3MF	Mahamat Labbo	(1988-07-21) 21 July 1988	14	4	Cholet
	3MF	Brahim Ngaroudal	(1994-12-23) 23 December 1994	6	0	Elect-Sport
20	3MF	Bakhit Djibrine	(1995-04-17) 17 April 1995	9	0	Foullah Edifice
	3MF	Roméo Otodjibaye	(1995-08-16) 16 August 1995	4	0	Indeni
2	4FW	Yaya Kerim	(1991-08-10) 10 August 1991	9	0	Foullah Edifice
7	4FW	Marius Mouandilmadji	(1997-01-22) 22 January 1997	7	0	Porto
9	4FW	Brahim Mahamat	(1995-11-13) 13 November 1995	3	0	Tours
10	4FW	Casimir Ninga	(1993-05-17) 17 May 1993	18	1	Sivasspor
11	4FW	Ezechiel N'Douassel (Captain)	(1988-04-22) 22 April 1988	39	9	Bhayangkara

Recent call-ups

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	(1998-02-12) 12 February 1998	0	0	Istres	v. Niger, 10 October 2020
GK	Mbairamadji Dillah	(1985-09-18) 18 September 1985	7	0	Gazelle	v. Sudan, 25 September 2020
DF	Nadjim Haroun	(1988-06-10) 10 June 1988	8	1	Bierbeek	v. Niger, 10 October 2020
DF	Ninga Ndonane	(1988-04-25) 25 April 1988	8	0	CotonTchad	v. Sudan, 25 September 2020
MF	Azrack Mahamat	(1988-03-24) 24 March 1988	21	0	Saint-Maur	v. Niger, 10 October 2020
MF	Esaïe Djikoloum	(1991-10-03) 3 October 1991	13	0	CotonTchad	v. Niger, 10 October 2020
MF	Léger Djimrangar	(1987-10-02) 2 October 1987	27	7	CotonTchad	v. Niger, 10 October 2020
MF	Blaise Tohou	(1997-02-17) 17 February 1997	1	0	Connecticut Huskies	v. Niger, 10 October 2020
FW	Karl Max Barthélémy	(1986-10-27) 27 October 1986	24	2	Semen Padang	v. Niger, 10 October 2020
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.

Statistics

Ezechiel N'Douassel is the captain and the national team's most capped player and top scorer in history

Most capped players

  Highlighted names denote a player still playing or available for selection.

#	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

• Vasily Sokolov (1968–1970)
• Viktor Sokolov (1967–1968, 1970–1971)
• Anzor Kavazashvili (1976–1977)
• Moussarou Ngongolo (1998)
• Yann Djim Ngarlendana (1998)
• Douba Djibrine (1999)
• Marcel Mao (2000)
• Jean Paul Akono (2002–2003)
• Yann Djim Ngarlendana (2003)
• Yann Djim Ngarlendana (2005, 2006 )
• Oumar Mahamat a.k.a. Modou Kouta (2006)
• Natoltiga Okalah (2006 – 2007 )
• Mahamat Adoum (2007)
• Natoltiga Okalah (2008)
• Sherif El-Khashab (2009–2011)
• Moudou Kouta (September 2011 – December 2013)
• Emmanuel Trégoat (March 2014 – October 2015)
• 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–)

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Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1998	Did not enter									Did not enter
2002	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	0	1
2006										2	1	0	1	3	3
2010										6	2	0	4	7	11
2014										2	1	0	1	2	2
2018										4	2	0	2	3	6
2022										2	0	1	1	1	3
2026	To be determined									To be determined
Total	−	0/22	−	−	−	−	−	−		18	6	2	10	16	26

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957 to 1959	Part of France
1962 to 1963	Not affiliated to CAF
1965 to 1990	Did not enter
1992	Did not qualify
1994	Withdrew during qualifying
1996 to 1998	Did not enter
2000	Did not qualify
2002	Did not enter
2004 to 2008	Did not qualify
2010	Disqualified in qualifying round
2012 to 2015	Did not qualify
2017	Withdrew during qualifying
2019	Banned from competition
2021	Disqualified in qualifying round
2023	To be determined
2025
Total	−	0/33	−	−	−	−	−	−

Head-to-head records against other countries

As of 1 June 2014

Opponent	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Differential
Algeria	2	0	1	1	1	4	−3
Angola	2	1	0	1	3	3	0
Bahrain	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Benin	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1
Botswana	2	0	0	2	0	2	−2
Cameroon	3	0	2	1	0	2	−2
Central African Republic	7	3	1	3	9	11	−2
Congo	13	3	4	6	11	20	−9
Egypt	4	1	1	2	2	9	−7
Equatorial Guinea	7	4	2	1	8	3	+5
Ethiopia	2	1	0	1	3	3	0
Gabon	10	2	3	5	12	18	−6
Guinea	1	0	0	1	0	3	−3
Jordan	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Niger	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Liberia	2	0	1	1	0	1	−1
Libya	4	1	0	3	5	10	−5
Malawi	6	2	1	3	10	15	−5
Mali	2	0	0	2	2	4	−2
Namibia	2	1	0	1	3	2	+1
São Tomé and Príncipe	1	1	0	0	5	0	+5
South Africa	2	0	0	2	0	7	−7
Sudan	6	1	1	4	5	12	−7
Tunisia	4	0	1	3	2	10	−8
Uganda	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2
Tanzania	2	1	0	1	2	2	0
Togo	2	0	2	0	2	2	0
Yemen	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
Zambia	2	0	1	1	1	3	−2
29 Countries	94	23	24	47	89	151	−64

Achievements

CEMAC Cup :

• Winner: 2014
• 1 Time Runners-up

UDEAC Championship :

• 2 Time Runners-up

See also

• List of Chad international footballers
• Football in Chad

External links

• Chadian Football Federation (in French)
• Chad at africansoccerunion.com
• National football team of Chad picture