NEW DELHI: One of the most recognizable faces of DR Congo football was missing from the stands as African national hero Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, better known as Lumumba Vea, was unable to attend the game in Houston as he is currently in a 21-day quarantine following the Ebola outbreak.Mboladinga became famous throughout the football world for his unique support for the DR Congo national team. During the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, television cameras repeatedly focused on a sharply dressed fan who would stand perfectly still for the entire match, sometimes for 90 or even 120 minutes.His unusual appearance quickly went viral on social media, with many fans dubbing him a “statue fan.” Mboladinga’s pose pays homage to Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of DR Congo and one of the country’s most important historical figures. His raised arm echoes the famous Lumumba monument in Kinshasa, while the vintage glasses, tailored suit and stiff demeanor are carefully chosen to honor the independence leader.After gaining worldwide attention during the AFCON, DR Congo decided to include him in their official delegation for the World Cup.However, his quarantine meant he was unable to watch his country’s historic match against Portugal from the stands.His absence was felt by many fans who were used to seeing him during DR Congo matches.
There is good news though. Mboladinga is expected to complete his suspension in time to attend the next World Cup match against Colombia DR Congo on June 23.On the field, DR Congo produced one of the surprises of the tournament by playing Portugal to a 1-1 draw.Playing in their first World Cup in 52 years, DR Congo became the second African nation to impress European opposition following Cape Verde’s goalless draw against Spain earlier this week.Portuguese coach Roberto Martinez admitted that his team failed to provide the best game.“The World Cup is the tournament where that happens,” Martinez said. “Sometimes the performance isn’t up to the challenge.”In front of a crowd of 68,777 at the NRG Stadium, most of whom were rooting for Portugal, DR Congo picked up the first World Cup point in their history after losing all three of their previous games in the competition.While the result on the pitch was one to remember, many fans will be hoping that when DR Congo next face Colombia, their famous “statue fan” will once again be back in his place in the stands.
