DR Congo fan ‘Lumumba Vea’ becomes World Cup star in the stands
Michel Kuka Mboladinga, known as Lumumba Vea, stood out at the 2026 World Cup, paying tribute to the late Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba while supporting the DR Congo national team.
The Democratic Republic of Congo finally has its unmistakable leader among its loyal legion of fans: Michel Kuka Mboladinga. DR Congo resumed its participation in the 2026 World Cup after a surprising draw with Portugal, facing Colombia in Guadalajara on Tuesday. And in the stands was Mboladinga, who missed the opening match after arriving late to the tournament, but brought a unique form of support. Mboladinga, who came to prominence in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final held in Morocco, was a welcome sight for the Congolese team. Dressed in a jacket and tie to resemble his country's first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, Mboladinga stands completely still in honor of the politician, who was assassinated by firing squad in 1961. Nicknamed Lumumba Vea after his homage, Mboladinga raises his arm to strike a pose similar to that held by Lumumba at a statue of him in the country's capital, Kinshasa, in sharp contrast to the vibrant chants and applause from the fans around him. Algeria's football federation apologized to Mboladinga at the Nations Cup after striker Mohamed Amoura mocked him as Algeria eliminated the Congolese from the tournament, sparking a backlash on social media. Mboladinga's arrival at the World Cup was delayed due to restrictions imposed on travelers from DR Congo due to the Ebola outbreak in the country, which has infected more than 1,000 people and caused 254 deaths.
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