Ex-West Brom favourite Youssouf Mulumbu pinpoints how DR Congo can upset England in World Cup

Former Albion favourite Youssouf Mulumbu has warned England they will face another stern defence against DR Congo on Wednesday.

The retired Baggies midfielder represented the Leopards on 45 occasions and believes his nation can cause an upset in the World Cup round of 32 tie against England.

Mulumbu, 39, reckons his nation can take inspiration from how fellow African outfit Ghana, who frustrated Thomas Tuchel’s men to a goalless draw in the second group game last week.

He said DR Congo’s defenders, featuring Premier League experience, can blunt England’s attack. The former Albion hero reckons if Sebastien Desabre’s men can keep it tight then Newcastle’s three-goal frontman Yoann Wissa can punish the Three Lions in front of goal.

"Wissa has scored three goals and is in good shape,” Mulumbu said. “We missed him in the African Nations. He's back and wants to show he is the leader of this group.

"I think the strength of this team comes from the defence with (Axel) Tuanzebe and Chancel Mbemba. They're very strong and know the Premier League because they played there.

"We just need to take example of Ghana. The Three Lions against Ghana showed it was very hard to score. If we keep our defence strong I hope we will have a good opportunity to score.“

The popular ex-Baggie added: "Of course the Three Lions have more experience but this group is very confident.

"I spoke with (defender Arthur) Masuaku and he said he wants to go to the final! I was quite impressed because when you see an African nation coming through the World Cup most of them wants to go through the group stage and represent but he wants to go to the final!

"I'm very pleased with them and I really think they are going to cause a problem for the Three Lions.

"I'm rooting for Congo, I know it's going to be a tough game.

"We saw England doubting a bit against Ghana. We have a 50-50 chance. We saw Morroco and Paraguay yesterday. There are some surprises in this World Cup and we'll see what is going to happen.”

Kinshasa-born Mulumbu, who made 211 appearances for the Baggies, insists qualification for the knockout stages for the first time in the nation’s history has come as a welcome relief from the ongoing conflict in DR Congo’s east.

"The country is going through a hard time with the war happening,” he said. “When we go through the stage for some hours or minutes they just forget about everything happening in the country, so it's very important to us.

"The players are very young and showed they are not afraid of any team.”

DR Congo came third in a group featuring Colombia and Portugal after a draw against the latter and victory over Uzbekistan.