Viral Congo Fan Makes It for World Cup, Stands As Lumumba for 90 Mins

Guadalajara: Congo’s famous living statue fan finally made his World Cup debut on Tuesday. Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who became famous for posing as the statue of Congo’s assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba during all matches at the African Cup of Nations, also played in Congo’s 1-0 defeat against Colombia after missing the first match against Portugal due to Ebola quarantine requirements.

Sharply dressed fan Lumumba Vea, known for his resemblance to the slain leader, was in his seat about an hour before the game at Estadio Akron. He was wearing a bright red jacket and tie, yellow shirt and blue trousers. When the game began, Kongo stood motionless with his right arm raised on a pedestal behind the bench.

Nkuka Mboladinga returned to the podium a few minutes late after half-time, but remained there until the end and even a few minutes after the final whistle.

He didn’t want to be interviewed, but nodded and smiled when asked if he was happy to finally make it to the World Cup.

Congo drew 1-1 with Portugal in Houston last week.

Nkuka Mboladinga also missed Congo’s World Cup play-off match against Jamaica earlier this year – when his country was securing its return to the tournament after 52 years – because he could not obtain a visa on time. He went first to Kenya and then to Ethiopia to get a visa for the match played in Guadalajara.

Nkuka Mboladinga became a social media sensation at the African Cup when he posed like a statue of Lumumba on a plinth, raising his right hand and standing still throughout the matches.

🚨 WATCH: Lumumba Mea is finally at the World Cup. ❤️🇨🇩

After missing the opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo due to visa issues, he is now in the stands cheering for his country. 👏🏿🔥 pic.twitter.com/OxGybme0cW

— World Cup 2026 (@WorldCupMedia_) June 24, 2026

Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s Gandhi

Lumumba was an activist who helped end Belgian colonial rule over the Congo in 1960. He became the newly independent country’s first prime minister and was seen as one of Africa’s most promising leaders, but was assassinated within a year during his fight against a Belgian-backed separatist movement in the mineral-rich Katanga region.

In March, a Belgian court ordered a 93-year-old former diplomat to stand trial for the murder. Etienne Davignon, who has previously denied wrongdoing, is the last living man among 10 Belgians suspected of involvement in the murder and is accused of “participation in war crimes” for his role in the “illegal detention and transfer” of Lumumba.