DR Congo Fan Michel Kuka Stands Statue‑like at World Cup Amid Visa Hurdles

Michel Kuka Mboladinga, a 49‑year‑old supporter of the Democratic Republic of Congo national soccer team, has become known as “Lumumba Vea” for standing motionless with his arm raised for the full 90 minutes of each match, mirroring a famous statue of independence leader Patrice Lumumba in Kinshasa. Kuka trains daily by holding the pose for 30–40 minutes and has been a fixture at Congo games since 2013, gaining wider attention after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

He missed a World Cup qualifier earlier this year because visa restrictions linked to an Ebola outbreak prevented his entry to the United States. The Congo players petitioned President Félix Tshisekedi to intervene, believing his presence boosts their chances. Reports indicate Kuka is now en route to North America and expects to attend the team’s World Cup group‑stage match against Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, as DR Congo makes its first World Cup appearance in 52 years.