DR Congo lean on Wan-Bissaka and Tuanzebe in defence that knows England | OneFootball

DR Congo will lean on a defence steeped in English football, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe central to Sébastien Desabre’s plans.

According to L'Équipe, the pair, both England youth alumni, were team-mates at Manchester United from 2019 to 2021. Tuanzebe committed on 6 June 2024 and has 16 caps and one goal, now at Burnley. Wan-Bissaka followed a year later and has 15 caps for West Ham.

The back line speaks English fluently. Arthur Masuaku learned it at West Ham then Sunderland, and Chancel Mbemba at Newcastle, while Wan-Bissaka and Tuanzebe, both 28 and born in the same month, grew up in the UK. Tuanzebe was born in Bunia, the epicentre of the current Ebola outbreak, moved at four, and speaks Lingala.

Desabre worked hard to bring them in, visiting families and outlining a World Cup project. Wan-Bissaka is closely tied to Congo, runs an academy there, and is praised for his attitude, with star status parked in camp.

On the pitch, Wan-Bissaka patrols the right, and Tuanzebe has reinforced the centre with power and aerial ability. Tuanzebe’s only international goal, the 1-0 after extra time winner against Jamaica on 31 March in the intercontinental play-off final, took DR Congo to the United States.

Both will offer guidance. Wan-Bissaka has faced Harry Kane 10 times in club matches, when the striker scored only three times, two in one game. Former captain Youssouf Mulumbu says their know-how will help, that Congo’s strength is its defence, and that they arrived late yet have settled and delivered, a level to reproduce to dream of eliminating England.

Source: L'Équipe