Un supporter congolais devient la star de la CAN 2025
During the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco, Michel Kuka Mboladinga, a Congolese supporter, has captured global attention by becoming a « living statue » in honor of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo’s independence hero. His striking pose, mimicking a statue of Lumumba, was performed during every match of the Democratic Republic of Congo, rapportent TopTribune.
In each game, Kuka Mboladinga reproduces a gesture inspired by a statue of the former Congolese Prime Minister, which was displayed on his mausoleum in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, for a brief period in 1960.
Following the elimination of the DRC in the round of 16, Kuka Mboladinga’s pose was mocked by Algerian player Mohamed Amoura. At the final whistle, Amoura imitated the living statue’s stance before laying down on the pitch, suggesting he could now rest.
This incident provoked outrage on social media, and subsequently, the Algerian team, known as the Fennecs, publicly apologized to Michel Kuka Mboladinga.
Des imitations sur tous les terrains
Since the controversy, several tributes have emerged on various pitches. In response to Amoura’s actions, Nigerian player Akor Adams celebrated a goal on January 10 in the quarter-finals against Algeria, a match that eliminated the Algeria team (0-2), by striking a similar pose, arm raised to the sky and palm open.
The following day, Sofiane Diop, a winger for OGC Nice, also emulated this gesture during a Coupe de France Round of 16 game against Nantes (1-1, 3-5 on penalties) after scoring in the first half.
In the stands during the CAN, spectators have taken to reproducing the living statue’s pose. Moroccan supporters notably did this during the quarter-final against Cameroon, a match won by the Lions of the Atlas (0-2).
Apart from the sports arenas, the image of Patrice Lumumba has become a significant artistic symbol. Moroccan artist Mohamed Lachhab, who is known for his portraits and has almost 600,000 followers on Instagram, also created a painting of the former Congolese Prime Minister for the occasion.
In just weeks, the memory of Patrice Lumumba has been reignited. Historians note that a passionate speech against Belgian colonial racism delivered by Lumumba on June 30, 1960, during the proclamation of Congolese independence, solidified his legendary status. This address also sealed the fate of this nationalist leader, who was viewed as a communist by detractors. After only 75 days in office, he was ousted and assassinated on January 17, 1961, in Shilatembo, Haut-Katanga, by separatists and Belgian mercenaries.
His body, dissolved in acid, has never been recovered. It took decades to discover that human remains had been preserved in Belgium, including a tooth. This issue remains one of the darkest chapters in the relations between Belgium and its former colony.
