DR Congo fan ‘Lumumba Vea’ becomes World Cup star in the stands
The Democratic Republic of Congo finally have their unmistakable leader of their faithful legion of supporters: Michel Kuka Mboladinga.
DR Congo resumed their World Cup 2026, after a stunning draw with Portugal, by taking on Colombia in Guadalajara on Tuesday.
And in the stands was Mboladinga, who missed the opener after belatedly arriving at the World Cup and adding a unique brand of support.
Mboladinga, who rose to prominence at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, provided 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 tribute to the politician who was assassinated by firing squad in 1961.
Nicknamed Lumumba Veabecause of his tribute, Mboladinga raises his arm to strike a pose similar to one held by Lumumba in a statue of him in his country’s capital Kinshasa, and in stark contrast to the vibrant singing and cheering fans around him.
The Algerian football federation apologised to Mboladinga at the Cup of Nations after forward Mohamed Amoura mocked him when Algeria knocked the Congolese out of the tournament, which caused a social media backlash.
Mboladingas arrival at the `World Cup was delayed following restrictions put in `place for travellers from the DR Congo due to the Ebola outbreak in the country that has now infected more than 1,000 people and claimed 254 lives.
Reuters contributed to this report
