History
Although one of the weaker 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 World Cup qualifiers, in which Niger eliminated Somalia and Togo on away goals, 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 one record – they trashed Mauritania 7–1 in continental qualifiers, which is for now the highest win for the Mena.
In the 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers, Niger won all their home games (including a win over Guinea) to finish on 9 points, just 3 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 Niger FA would have turned to fundraising to pay for their trip to the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, had they qualified.
In June 2008, Romanian coach Dan Anghelescu took over as team manager from Hamey Amadou, who was dismissed. Anghelescu had been coaching in Africa since 1999, training teams from Algeria, Tunisia and Burkina Faso. On 19 December 2008, Anghelescu was dismissed after a disastrous six-month spell. Former Niger U-17 coach Frederic Costa was appointed the new head coach of the Niger national side. Harouna Doula Gabde, a former Nigerien international, succeeded them in 2009.
Despite a failed run for ACON2010, 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.
On 10 October 2010, Niger earned a shock 1–0 win over Egypt at home in the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification.
After home wins -- but away losses -- 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.
On African Nations Cup Niger have been placed in Group C against co-hosts Gabon, Tunisia and Morocco. In their opening match Gabon made a comfortable 2-0 win against debutants. In second match Tunisia beat Niger 2-1 in Libreville. After Youssef Msakni dribbled his way through for a fine goal after just four minutes, William Tonji Ngounou made history when scoring Niger's first Nations Cup goal. But the Issam Jemaa's goal was cruel on the Nigeriens, who dominated the Group C encounter at times. In the third match Niger lost to Morocco 0-1. Younes Belhanda scored on the assist of Marouane Chamakh just 11 minutes from time.
Niger repeated success in African Nations Cup qualifiers, beating Guinea, thus qualifying to 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea won the first match 1-0, but Niger won 2-0 in return leg, and made its fans happy again. Scorers for another historical success were Chicoto Mohamed and Issoufou Boubacar Garba.
Read more about this topic: Niger National Football Team
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