The Democratic Republic of Congo’s World Cup campaign is set to receive a distinctive boost with the belated arrival of Michel Kuka Mboladinga, whose unique brand of support will be on display when they face Colombia in Guadalajara on Tuesday.
Mboladinga, who first gained prominence at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, is a welcome sight for the Congolese squad, who are aiming to build on their opening 1-1 draw with Portugal in Houston.
His tribute involves dressing in a jacket and tie, mirroring his country’s first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, and standing completely still.
Nicknamed “Lumumba Vea”, Mboladinga maintains a pose similar to that of a Lumumba statue in Kinshasa, a stark contrast to the vibrant singing and cheering fans around him. Lumumba himself was assassinated by firing squad in 1961.
His distinctive presence previously led to an apology from the Algerian football federation at the Cup of Nations, after forward Mohamed Amoura mocked him following Algeria’s victory over the Congolese, sparking a social media backlash.
Mboladinga’s journey to the World Cup was delayed due to travel restrictions imposed on visitors from the DR Congo.
These measures were enacted following an Ebola outbreak in the country, which has now infected over 1,000 people and claimed 254 lives.
Congo have already caused one shock at this year’s tournament, earning a point from their clash with Portugal last week.
The African nation fell behind early to a Joao Neves header, but equalised on the stroke of half time through Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa, and managed to keep Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. at bay for the rest of the match.
Another positive result against Colombia would move them a step closer to earning a spot in the World Cup knockout rounds.
Following Tuesday’s clash with Colombia, Congo are due to face Uzbekistan in their final group game on Saturday evening.
