The China Mail - Sunderland's Sadiki stays humble as DR Congo target AFCON quarters

The 21-year-old Brussels-born midfielder was an ever-present in a remarkable Sunderland side this season before departing for the AFCON with the Leopards.

On Tuesday they play Algeria in the last 16 in Rabat, in their first game of what they hope will be a historic year.

"It is not going to be the easiest game until now but we have to win tomorrow if we want to dream big," Sadiki told reporters on Monday just before a Congolese team training session in Sale, just outside Morocco's capital.

It is a first taste of a major international tournament for Sadiki, who represented Belgium at youth level before switching allegiance to DR Congo and making his senior bow for them in September 2024.

"I am really happy to be here. I am just trying to enjoy every moment because you never know what might happen tomorrow," he said shortly before being soaked by a sprinkler.

"My recent performances have been good but I need to keep proving myself because it is now that the competition really begins, and it will be the same when I go back to my club -- that will be when the season really gets going.

"I have not yet done anything all that extraordinary."

Sadiki has nevertheless been outstanding for a Sunderland team that has exceeded all expectations following promotion to the Premier League and currently sits eighth in the table.

He has missed four straight games, all of which have ended in draws, since leaving for the Cup of Nations in the wake of the 1-0 derby victory against Newcastle United on December 14.

"The first games were quite difficult for me but I adapted well I think and I always try to be the best version of myself to help my team," he said about settling in at the Stadium of Light following a July transfer from Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise for a reported £15 million ($20.3m).

- World Cup hopes -

"I have had a lot of help over there as well, so I am really grateful for what has happened."

Sadiki is a harsh judge of his own performances so far in Morocco, where DR Congo made the last 16 with wins against Benin and Botswana and a draw against Senegal.

"My AFCON on a personal level has been mixed so far -- my first game was quite good, my second match was quite average and then I didn't play much in the third game, but now is when the real competition begins so I think it is from now that you can really judge my tournament."

He did nevertheless laugh off a question from one reporter suggesting he had been avoiding the ball during games, before showing big ambitions for the remainder of the tournament.

"You always want to win a competition when you come into it," he said, mindful that DR Congo's run to the semi-finals at the last AFCON in 2024 is as far as they have gone since last winning the title as Zaire in 1974.

That is also the last time they appeared at the World Cup, but victory in a play-off in March will see them qualify for this year's finals in North America.

"I think if we win right now it is going to be a big reward for those guys who have been here for a long time," he said.

"We are full of confidence because we know what we are capable of."

K.Lam--ThChM