6 days ago | Lucy Fleming
Algeria’s football federation has issued an apology to a Congolese superfan who has captured attention at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco.
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga has become famous for supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo by dressing as the country’s first leader, Patrice Lumumba, and standing completely still throughout every match. He would remain on a pedestal, right arm raised, mimicking Lumumba’s iconic statue in Kinshasa, while fans cheered around him.
However, after Algeria defeated the Leopards on Tuesday, Algerian forward Mohamed Amine Amoura sparked backlash by mimicking Mboladinga and falling to the ground as if knocking over the statue.
Amoura, 25, quickly apologised on Instagram, saying his gesture was “not intended to disrespect DR Congo.” He added: “At that moment, I wasn’t aware of what the person or symbol in the stands represented. I simply wanted to joke around, in a good-natured way, without any ill intent or desire to provoke anyone.” Amoura also plays for German club Wolfsburg.
Lumumba, assassinated in 1961 in a plot backed by Belgium, the UK, and the US, remains a revered figure in DR Congo and a prominent voice in Africa’s anti-colonial history.
After the match at Rabat’s Moulay Hassan Stadium, Mboladinga appeared visibly upset. He removed his glasses, wiped away tears, and slowly descended from his makeshift pedestal, leaning against it with his head in his hands.
In response, the Algerian Football Association (FAF) reached out to Mboladinga and invited him to meet the team at their hotel in Rabat. Unable to travel, Mboladinga was instead visited in Casablanca by FAF media officer Saïd Fellak, who presented him with a Desert Foxes jersey featuring the name “Lumumba” on the back. Congolese Sports Minister Didier Budimbu also attended, and fans shared photos and videos of the meeting online.
It remains uncertain whether Mboladinga and his pedestal will accompany the Leopards to Mexico for March’s intercontinental World Cup qualifiers. Six teams will compete for the final two spots in the tournament, which begins in June and is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Amoura expressed respect for DR Congo and their team, saying: “Honestly, I wish them the best and hope they qualify for the World Cup.”
