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Afcon fan stands tall for DR Congo and late prime minister

The Straits Times

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January 08, 2026

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, who beat the Leopards 1-0 with 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.

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