Former Democratic Republic of the Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani has warned that England face a tougher-than-expected test in the World Cup last 32, insisting the Leopards are capable of springing a major upset. Zakuani, who helped assemble the squad from the Congolese diaspora, believes the team's defensive solidity and athleticism can expose weaknesses in Thomas Tuchel's side.
Zakuani Spots England's Vulnerabilities
“There are holes in England. I think it’s been glaring,” Zakuani told the Guardian. “When you sit back against England, they struggle to open you up. I don’t think they selected players who are capable of doing that on a regular basis. That’s what we’ll exploit. If you stop Jude Bellingham, I think you stop a lot of England.”
Zakuani, who turned down a co-commentary role for the match due to emotional attachment, will watch from a local community gathering in Tottenham. The 40-year-old was instrumental in convincing players like Noah Sadiki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Axel Tuanzebe to represent the DRC.
Battle-Hardened Path to the Knockouts
The DRC reached the last 32 after a 1-1 draw with Portugal and a comeback win over Uzbekistan, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1974 as Zaire. Only six of the squad were born in the DRC, including goalscorer Fiston Mayele. The team finished a point behind Senegal in qualifying, then eliminated Cameroon and Nigeria before beating Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff.
“That journey has probably stood us in good stead in terms of getting through the playoffs, getting used to playing under pressure consistently. The unity is there for everyone to see,” Zakuani said. “Inside that dressing room, they believe they can get a result. I believe there could be a scalp here. I’m not just saying it because I’m on the Congolese side. I think it’s going to be a tighter match than everyone presumes.”
Diaspora Stars Key to DR Congo's Rise
Zakuani played a key role in recruiting players from the diaspora. He recalled convincing Sadiki, then in the under-20s, to switch from Belgium: “I had a long conversation with Sadiki and realised early on that he’s very passionate about playing for Congo.” Wan-Bissaka, who played for England Under-21s, also switched after being overlooked by the senior team. “When he didn’t get that England call-up, that’s when he said: ‘No, this is enough now,’” Zakuani said. Wan-Bissaka has had a standout tournament, while Sadiki is tracked by Chelsea and Manchester United after an impressive Premier League season.
England's Right-Back Irony
The irony of Tuchel's right-back concerns is not lost, given Wan-Bissaka's form. Newcastle's Yoane Wissa and Sunderland's Noah Sadiki are also expected to start for the Leopards. Zakuani believes the DRC can take inspiration from Ghana's group-stage performance against England. “If we can hold them for as long as possible, we will get chances. And we just have to be clinical when we do get those chances. That’s the way I see us beating England,” he said.
