Algeria apologizes to Leapba statue of Dr Congo Afcon Afcon a superfan

The Algerian football federation has apologized to a Congolese superfan who has become one of the stars of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) taking place in Morocco.

Michel Nkuka Mboladinga supported the Democratic Republic of Congo by dressing up as Patrice Lumumba, the country’s revered first leader, and remaining motionless throughout each match.

He stood on a pedestal with his right arm raised – just like the famous Lumumba statue in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo – as fans around him cheered.

But after Algeria beat the Leopards on Tuesday, Algerian player Mohamed Amine Amoura faced backlash for imitating Mboladinga and falling to the ground as if the statue had been toppled.

This prompted the 25-year-old striker to post an apology on Instagram, saying his gesture was not intended to disrespect DR Congo.

The Desert Foxes looked headed for penalties before Adil Boulbina scored in the 119th minute, securing a place in the quarter-finals where they will face Nigeria on Saturday.

“At that moment I didn’t know what the person or symbol in the stands represented. I just wanted to joke, in a good-natured way, without malicious intent or desire to provoke anyone,” said Amoura, who also plays for German team Wolfsburg.

Lumumba is not only considered a hero in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he was assassinated in 1961 as part of a plot backed by Belgium, the United Kingdom and the United States, but he is also considered one of the most prominent voices in the African anti-colonial movement.

After the final whistle on Tuesday at the Moulay Hassan stadium in Rabat, which saw the Leopards eliminated from the tournament, Mboladinga – who with his hairstyle and glasses looks remarkably like Lumumba – was visibly distraught.

He took off his glasses to wipe away a few tears, slowly got off his makeshift pedestal and leaned against it, his head in his hands.

The Algerian Football Federation (Faf) contacted Mboladinga following Amoura’s contrite comments and invited him to the hotel where the North African team is staying in Rabat to meet the players.

As the superfan was unable to travel to the Moroccan capital, Faf media manager Saïd Fellak went to the Novotel hotel in Casablanca to meet him and other Congolese supporters on Wednesday evening.

There, Fellak presented Mboladinga with his own Desert Foxes jersey with the name “Lumumba” printed on the back.

Videos and photos of the encontre cordiale, which was also attended by Congolese Sports Minister Didier Budimbu, were captured by Congolese fans, showing Mboladinga alongside Fellak in his new football jersey.

It is not yet clear whether the Lumumba superfan and his pedestal will make it to Mexico, where the Leopards are expected to compete in the highly anticipated Intercontinental World Cup qualifiers in March.

Six teams will compete for the final two spots at stake for the World Cup, which begins in June.

Algeria has already qualified for the tournament organized jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States – and Amoura hopes to see the Leopards there too.

“I respect Congo and its team. Honestly, I wish them the best and hope they qualify for the World Cup,” he said.