Yorkshire's Congolese community excited for England clash

For the first time in the nation’s history, the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached the knockout rounds of a FIFA World Cup – and will face England today.

The UK is home to around 30,000 Congolese nationals, and there are expat communities in cities such as Leeds and Sheffield.

DR Congo last played in the World Cup in 1974, when the country was known as Zaire and The Leopards became only the third African team to take part in the tournament.

Yorkshire’s Congolese told the BBC it was “an honour” to face their adopted country on the world stage.

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Jacques Kalenga moved to England from DR Congo in 1999, and now works for the charity Tosalisana Congolese Community of Sheffield.

“It is an honour for us to play England and the team have to expect something so we never know, [but] England is a big team, so we hope to surprise them,” he said.

Kalenga said he was surprised to see his nation compete at a World Cup after a 52-year hiatus and said the country’s football programme was increasingly successful, but admitted seeing DR Congo face England left him with divided loyalties.

“I support both England and the DRC, but I hope for a good match and that the stronger team wins. I will be pleased with either winning,” he said.

Kalenga has been watching Congo’s group stage games in a pub in the Gleadless area of Sheffield, where he sits on the board of the City Life International Church.

Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa is his favourite player from the current World Cup team – 20 of whom were born outside DR Congo, including Wissa and former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who were born in France and England respectively.

Kalenga hoped Wednesday’s match will boost both the Congolese identity and relations in England.

He was born in DR Congo’s second-largest city, Lubumbashi, near its border with Zambia before moving to England after his wife found a job as a nurse.

Since living in England, Kalenga has completed a Masters degree in computing from Sheffield Hallam University.

“I’ve done my best to be involved in the community nationwide, with the Congolese diaspora in the UK, but I’m retired now so I’m old,” Kalenga joked.

Daniel Pokas owns the La Katangaise Cuisine restaurant in Leeds, serving traditional Congolese food in the Harehills neighbourhood.

The restaurant’s name honours La Katangaise, the national anthem of the state of Katanga, to the west of the country.

Pokas believed England should be scared of their opponents and will be showing the match on TV at his restaurant.

“We’re going to win 100%, we’re playing well.

“I trust all my players, and to be honest with you – there are no bad spots in their play.

“When we play in the World Cup, we lose, but after 52 years we’re back again,” he said.

He said former Newcastle United defender and DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa were his favourites to watch on the pitch.

“Wissa, this guy is going to be famous and if I had a newborn son, I would name him Wissa!” he said.

Pokas said he dreamt of his home nation lifting the World Cup in July and added that this team liked to surprise people.

“No-one expected us to get a draw against Portugal because they are a strong team.

“We are going to surprise people, even with England!” he added.

Pokas moved to England in 2004 and said he liked living here, adding the country “takes care” of people like him.

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