England sent World Cup warning ahead of DR Congo clash by ex-Premier League star

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DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba is relishing the challenge of stopping Harry Kane & Co in a bid to keep his side’s World Cup fairytale going even longer.

The African minnows created history by coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan and reach the knockout stages. It was Congo’s first ever win at a World Cup — and their reward is a seismic last 32 showdown with England in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Sebastian Desabre’s side will be huge underdogs. But Mbemba knows Congo will have nothing to lose — and everything to gain.

The Lille defender, who is Congo’s mast capped player with 112 appearances, has warned England his team will be ready for the showdown.

He 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.”

Desabre and his squad had to travel to Belgium for their pre-World Cup training camp, due to an outbreak of Ebola back in Congo. They eventually arrived in North America via Paris - and Desabre insists he he delighted all the confusion and chaos has been worth it.

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He said: “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.”

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