Ex-captain says DR Congo 'shocked' to score first

The ex-captain of DR Congo has spoken of his disappointment at his country's dramatic loss against England in the World Cup.

Gabriel Zakuani, who now lives in Epsom, Surrey, could only watch as Thomas Tuchel's team snatched victory from the central African side in the dying minutes of Wednesday's game in Atlanta.

Having spent much of the match one nil down, two goals from Harry Kane in the 75th and 86th minute ensured England were spared humiliation, as well as earning a place in the final 16.

Zakuani, 40, who was once a defender at Kent's Gillingham FC, said the DR Congo's team had "probably been shocked to get ahead so early".

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, he said: "I thought the game plan for first half was great, exactly how we'd planned on paper.

"We also defended pretty solidly, but things turned round for England when they made some substitutions and brought on fresh legs."

Zakuani said: ""They then put so much effort put into it that we started to get overrun."

He also praised DR Congo's goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, who made a string of daring saves to keep England at bay for much of the match.

"He usually plays for Le Havre AC in France, but he's not even first choice for his own club - unbelievable, really," he added.

Born in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo back when the country was called Zaire, Zakuani moved to England as a child.

He began his career at Leyton Orient and was highly revered at Peterborough United.

He also played for Fulham, Stoke City and Greek club Kalloni, as well as having been an integral part of the DR Congo squad which finished third at 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Zakuani announced his retirement from international football in 2018, aged 32, before giving up the professional game altogether in 2020.

One of his main jobs now is to help identity footballers from other countries who could play for DR Congo and then try to recruit them.

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