World Cup 2026: 'Living statue' of Lumumba joins DR Congo fans after quarantine
Summary
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, a Congolese fan famous for posing as a "living statue" of Patrice Lumumba, attended the 2026 World Cup match between DR Congo and Colombia after missing earlier games due to quarantine. He stood still on a pedestal during the match, continuing his tradition from the Africa Cup of Nations.Key Facts
- Michel Nkuka Mboladinga is known for posing as a statue of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s independence hero.
- He missed the first World Cup game against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine rules.
- Nkuka also missed Congo’s playoff match against Jamaica earlier due to visa problems.
- He attended the World Cup match against Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 23, 2026.
- During the match, he stood motionless on a pedestal wearing colorful clothes, raising his right arm.
- Patrice Lumumba was Congo’s first prime minister and was assassinated in 1961.
- A Belgian court has charged a former diplomat with war crimes related to Lumumba’s assassination.
- Nkuka gained fame during the Africa Cup of Nations by maintaining the statue pose throughout games.
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