Amid the roaring crowds, beating drums, and vibrant celebrations of the Africa Cup of Nations, one Democratic Republic of Congo supporter has captured global attention by remaining perfectly still.
At every match his team, the Leopards, has played, Michel Kuka Mboladinga has stood motionless on a makeshift podium in the stands, a silent, living monument to his nation’s history.
Dressed smartly in a jacket and tie, Mboladinga strikes the iconic raised-arm pose of DR Congo’s first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, mimicking the famous statue in Kinshasa that honors the assassinated independence hero.
This powerful tribute is an act of incredible endurance. Mboladinga, now nicknamed “Lumumba” by fellow fans, has held his pose for every minute of DR Congo’s group stage matches, including a grueling game against Benin that lasted nearly 115 minutes with added time.
While his teammates secured a spot in the last 16 with a decisive 3-0 victory over Botswana, Mboladinga’s quiet dedication became a story in itself, transforming the stadium into a space of national memory.
His stoic performance has gone viral on social media, with many viewers learning about Lumumba—a pivotal figure in Congo’s fight for independence who was assassinated in 1961—for the first time through this unique display of fandom and patriotism.
As DR Congo advances to face Algeria, all eyes will be on the pitch and on the stands, waiting to see the living statue continue his tribute.
