Mulumbu Predicts Tough Test for England
Former DR Congo captain Youssef Mulumbu has backed his compatriots to cause problems for England in their FIFA World Cup round of 32 match on Wednesday (July 1) in Atlanta. The Three Lions, led by Harry Kane, face a DR Congo side that has already made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Mulumbu highlighted the confidence within the DR Congo camp, noting that defender Arthur Masuaku told him the team aims to reach the final. This ambition sets them apart from many African nations that typically target just group-stage progression.
DR Congo's Journey to Knockouts
DR Congo began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. They then narrowly lost 1-0 to Colombia but bounced back with a convincing 3-1 win over Uzbekistan to secure their historic knockout berth.
Mulumbu pointed to recent major upsets in the tournament as evidence that underdogs can compete. Paraguay eliminated four-time champions Germany, and Morocco knocked out the Netherlands in the Round of 32, showcasing the tournament's unpredictability.
England's Vulnerability
Mulumbu also noted that England has shown signs of doubt, particularly in their match against Ghana. He believes DR Congo has a fifty-fifty chance against the Three Lions. "We saw Morocco, we saw Paraguay. There are some surprises in this World Cup, so let us just fight and see what happens," he said.
The former DR Congo skipper expressed his support for the team, expecting a closely contested encounter. He praised the squad's mentality, saying they are not just there to represent but to compete for the ultimate prize.
