Former Manchester United defender Tuanzebe ditches England for Sebastien Desabre's DRC

Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has joined the national team of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is set to play in the qualifiers of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, and the 2026 World Cup.

The Ipswich Town defender gave the greenlight to head coach Sébastien Desabre after the hopes of representing England fell through.

The native of Bunia (DR Congo) finally opts for his country of origin, to the detriment of England.

It should be noted that Tuanzebe is a Manchester United academy graduate, but he has played for several clubs, including Napoli, Aston Villa and Stoke City.

It should be recalled that Desabre and DR Congo finished fourth in the 2023 Africa Cupof Nations, after being beaten by the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on penalties in the third-place playoffs.

The Congolese eliminated the Pharaons of Egypt and the national Syli of Guinea, in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively.

The Leopards will face the Teranga Lions of Senegal next June at the Abdoulaye Wade stadium in Dakar, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

They are third in Group B, with three points just behind Senegal and Sudan which have four points each with two matches played.