NEW DELHI: One of DR Congo’s most famous football fans has finally got his moment FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, better known as Lumumba Vea, attends DR Congo’s match against Colombia after missing the opening match against Portugal due to an Ebola-related quarantine.The fan became a global sensation during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he spent entire matches standing as still as a statue. Dressed in colorful suits and holding one arm in the air, he quickly attracted the attention of television cameras and soccer fans around the world.Ahead of the Colombia match at Estadio Akron, Mboladinga arrived early and took a seat behind the DR Congo bench. Dressed in a bright red jacket and tie, yellow shirt and blue trousers, he once again transformed into a “living statue”, standing motionless on a pedestal with his right arm raised.Although he did not speak to the press, he smiled and nodded when asked if he was happy to finally be at the World Cup.His path to the tournament was not easy. Earlier this year, Mboladinga also missed DR Congo’s World Cup play-off against Jamaica because he was unable to secure a visa in time. He traveled to Kenya and Ethiopia in an attempt to obtain the necessary documents, but was unable to attend the match.His appearance is a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the DR Congo and one of the country’s most important historical figures.
Lumumba played a key role in ending Belgian colonial rule in 1960 and became the leader of the newly independent nation. However, he was killed less than a year later during political unrest linked to the separatist movement in the Katanga region.Mboladinga’s raised hand, formal attire and calm demeanor were inspired by monuments and images of Lumumba, which is why he is widely known as Lumumba Vea.His unique support has made him one of the most recognizable fans in international football and a symbol of DR Congo’s passion for the game.After missing the opening game against Portugal, many fans were delighted to finally see the famous “statue fan” take his place in the World Cup stands.
