Michel Kuka cried when DR Congo exited the AFCON
Michel Kuka Mboladinga, also known by the nickname “Lumumba,” is a Democratic Republic of Congo football supporter who rose to prominence during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for his distinctive behavior of standing motionless throughout matches.
The fan has been performing this posture since 2013, remaining still for the entire duration of a game, mimicking the stance of the Patrice Lumumba statue in Kinshasa.
The popular supporter is reported to be 53 years old, as of 2026. He has been a loyal follower of the national football team, nicknamed the Leopards, for many years and is a member of the official association of supporters and animators for the Leopards.
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During matches, Kuka stands motionless for the full 90 minutes, often on a small platform, raising his right arm toward the sky to replicate the pose of the Patrice Lumumba statue.
He typically wears a suit in the colors of the Congolese flag — blue, yellow, and red. His hairstyle and glasses are also styled to resemble the 1960s era.
Kuka explained that his stance is a tribute to Lumumba and symbolises values of dignity, freedom, and national sovereignty.
His act attracted significant media attention during the ongoing AFCON in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also recognised his efforts, with Kuka meeting President Patrice Motsepe and other executives to shake hands and receive appreciation.
However, the iconic figure was left heartbroken when Algeria eliminated DR Congo from the AFCON in extra time, with a 1-0 score line, ending their hopes of winning the trophy.
He was seen crying while standing, using a handkerchief to wipe his tears in an emotional moment that touched many and highlighted his deep commitment to what he does and to the game of football.
Although his team is out of the tournament, his posture remains a lasting memory that energised the competition and earned recognition for him even internationally.
See tweets of Kuka below:
DR Congo might be out of AFCON but shoutout to Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the fan who remained like a statue throughout all of their games 🫡 pic.twitter.com/GSR6YGPdJm
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 6, 2026
DR Congo fan Kuka Muladinga was seen in tears after the final whistle. We salute his sportsmanship and dedication to seeing his country win✊#afcon25withbrila pic.twitter.com/mGFNyTmZua
— Sports Radio Brila FM (@Brilafm889) January 6, 2026
SB/AE
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