The Democratic Republic of Congo’s upcoming clash with England in the World Cup round of 32 has captured the imagination of the Congolese diaspora worldwide. Few are better positioned to assess the matchup than Gabriel Zakuani, a former Leopards captain who has been instrumental in building the squad that now stands on the verge of a historic upset.
Zakuani’s Emotional Investment
When offered a co-commentary slot for the DRC–England encounter, Gabriel Zakuani declined almost immediately. The emotional weight of the fixture — the most significant in the Leopards’ modern history — made professional detachment impossible for the 40-year-old. Having already found himself too personally invested while covering the DRC’s group-stage match against Colombia, he concluded that working during Congolese games was simply not an option.
Instead, Zakuani will watch the match alongside members of the Congolese community in West Green Road, Tottenham, where pride and anticipation are running high. His connection to the squad runs deep: as a consultant to the national federation, he played a central role in identifying and recruiting players from the Congolese diaspora scattered across Europe.
Building the Leopards: A Diaspora Project
Zakuani was embedded with the squad throughout their pre-tournament preparations, joining training camps in Belgium and Spain before attending the opening fixture against Portugal in Houston. That match — a 1-1 draw — marked the DRC’s first World Cup appearance since they competed as Zaire in 1974, when they became the first sub-Saharan African nation to reach the finals. The result signalled that the Leopards belonged at this level.
Momentum has continued to build. After recovering from a deficit against Uzbekistan to secure their place in the knockout rounds, the squad’s confidence has grown considerably. Zakuani points to Ghana’s display against England in the group stage as a tactical blueprint worth studying.
Tactical Vulnerabilities: England’s Weak Points
According to Zakuani, England’s defensive frailties have been evident throughout the tournament. His assessment is direct: when opponents sit deep and deny space, Thomas Tuchel’s side struggles to find solutions. The squad, he argues, lacks players capable of consistently unlocking compact defences.
The key to neutralising England, in his view, lies in stopping Jude Bellingham. The DRC bring considerable athleticism and defensive solidity, and Zakuani believes they offer more attacking threat than Ghana did. His tactical prescription is straightforward: absorb pressure, stay organised, and capitalise on the chances that will inevitably arise.
Familiar Faces on Both Sides
Several players in the DRC squad have strong ties to English football. Yoane Wissa of Newcastle, Noah Sadiki of Sunderland, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all expected to feature from the start. Axel Tuanzebe, the Burnley defender who has impressed throughout the tournament, attended the same school in Greater Manchester as Marcus Rashford, and both came through the youth academy at Manchester United.
Only six members of the squad were born in the DRC itself. Among them is Fiston Mayele, who scored against Uzbekistan and left the domestic league in 2021 to play in Tanzania before relocating to Egypt. Zakuani deserves considerable credit for persuading Wissa, Tuanzebe, and Sadiki — the latter attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United after an outstanding debut Premier League season — to commit their international futures to the Leopards.
Recruiting the Diaspora: Personal Conversations
Zakuani’s recruitment work has been hands-on. He first encountered Sadiki while serving as assistant manager of the under-20 side, immediately recognising the Belgian-born midfielder’s potential and alerting the senior coaching staff. A candid conversation revealed that Sadiki harboured a deep desire to represent Congo, feeling a pull toward the country despite having grown up in Belgium.
The Wan-Bissaka case required more persuasion. Zakuani and head coach Sébastien Desabre travelled to the player’s family home in Purley after hatching their approach at a nearby coffee shop. The irony is not lost on anyone: Wan-Bissaka, who had represented England at under-21 level on three occasions, is now set to face the senior side he was never called up to. Tuchel’s struggles at right-back during this tournament have only sharpened that contrast.
The trend of diaspora players choosing African nations over European ones is accelerating. Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye both turned down France ahead of the tournament, reflecting a broader shift in how young players of African heritage are weighing their international options.
A Battle-Hardened Squad Ready for the Moment
The DRC’s path to this stage has been anything but straightforward. They finished a point behind Senegal in qualifying, then eliminated continental heavyweights Cameroon and Nigeria in the playoffs before defeating Jamaica in the intercontinental final. Every step demanded resilience and composure under pressure.
Zakuani believes that gruelling journey has forged exactly the kind of mentality needed to cause an upset. The unity within the squad is visible, and the belief inside the dressing room is genuine. His prediction is measured but confident: this will be a far tighter contest than the pre-match narrative suggests, and the Leopards are capable of delivering a result that shocks the world.
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