DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba has warned England that his side is ready for their World Cup last-32 clash, as the African minnows aim to extend their fairytale run. England secured top spot in their group with a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday, setting up a showdown with DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Historic Achievement for DR Congo
DR Congo made history by beating Uzbekistan to reach the knockout stages, marking their first-ever World Cup win. The team, coached by Sebastien Desabre, will be huge underdogs against England, but Mbemba insists they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Mbemba, a Lille defender and DR Congo's most-capped player with 112 appearances, said: “We know full well that we will be up against a top team. We know all about the qualities of the next opponent. We need to recover well, but we will keep working hard to be ready.”
Challenging Build-Up to the Tournament
DR Congo's preparation for the World Cup was far from ideal. Due to an Ebola outbreak in the country, the team had to travel to Belgium for their pre-tournament training camp. They eventually arrived in North America via Paris. Desabre expressed relief that the chaos was worthwhile, stating: “It was all about sacrifice. And we continue to have belief in our ability. To tell you the truth, I’m delighted for the lads. They’ve been working on this project for the last four years. So I’m incredibly proud of them.”
England's Injury Concerns
England, meanwhile, are dealing with injury worries ahead of the match. The team is reportedly facing a potential nightmare after a latest setback, though details remain unclear. Manager Gareth Southgate will be hoping to have key players fit for the knockout stage.
The match promises to be a test of England's credentials against a determined DR Congo side looking to cause one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
