Democratic Republic of Congo’s human statue becomes Afcon’s most famous fan

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Democratic Republic of Congos supporter Michel Kuka Mboladinga paying tribute to his nations late prime minister Patrice Lumumba by remaining motionless before the 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 football loss to Algeria at the Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat on Jan 6, 2026.

PHOTO: AFP

RABAT – His team were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in agonising fashion on Jan 6, but the Democratic Republic of Congo’s human statue Michel Kuka Mboladinga will be remembered as the tournament’s most remarkable supporter.

The colourfully dressed Kuka has earned fame as the fan who stands completely immobile throughout his team’s games, looking towards the sky with his right arm raised and palm open.

He has become a media star and on Jan 6 was accompanied by a delegation of several hundred Congolese supporters, whose trip to Morocco was paid for by the country’s government.

They took their place in the stands in Rabat for the last-16 tie against Algeria, which the Leopards lost 1-0 to a goal late in extra time.

Kuka’s pose is inspired by that of a statue of Congolese independence leader and former prime minister Patrice Lumumba which stands in Kinshasa.

Lumumba briefly served as the country’s first prime minister in 1960 and was assassinated the following year by a combination of separatists from the region of Katanga and