Emmanuel Longelo interview: West Ham beginnings, thriving at Motherwell and his international dream

In the early hours of the morning, Motherwell left-back Emmanuel Longelo restrained himself from waking up his neighbours because, had he done so, he probably would have invited them in to celebrate what he just witnessed.The 25-year-old West Ham academy graduate, also known as Manny, settled for a quiet fist pump. He was celebrating the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in the FIFA inter-confederation play-offs, which sealed their first World Cup qualification since 1974. After 52 years of heartbreak, DR Congo will feature at this summer’s tournament alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.Advertisement