Sunderland star Noah Sadiki reveals why he rejected Belgium before DR Congo’s England World Cup clash | OneFootball

Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki has explained why he chose DR Congo over Belgium as the Leopards prepare to face England at the World Cup.

“My choice of DR Congo did not go down well at home, and my parents did not understand why,” he said, speaking to Olympics.com earlier this year.

“But like I always say, this was, as is, a deeply personal choice. People forget that I fell in love with Congo as a child, watching almost every game they played on the TV. Today, I look around Africa, and there are more of us following this road: guys like Ibrahim Mbaye in Senegal or Antoine Semenyo in Ghana or Brahim Diaz with Morocco. We are here because we want to be here.”

Born in Belgium, Sadiki progressed through Anderlecht’s academy and represented the country up to under-20 level. Handed his senior Anderlecht debut by Vincent Kompany, a future with Belgium seemed the natural path, but in 2023 he committed to DR Congo and has since become a key figure.

“There will be setbacks along the way, but you have to grit your teeth and see it through,” he added. “That’s why I’m one of the first of my generation to openly choose Congo - because I know it could open doors for others.”

The Black Cats signed Sadiki from Union Saint-Gilloise last summer, and he has enhanced his reputation on Wearside while helping a DR Congo squad with growing depth. He could now face several Premier League names on the biggest stage.

Source: Sunderland Echo