Algeria apologizes for the statue of Lumumba from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Algerian Football Federation apologized to the Congolese fan who became one of the stars of the African Cup of Nations held in Morocco.

Michel Ngcuka Mboladinga supported the Democratic Republic of the Congo by donning the uniform of the country’s revered first leader Patrice Lumumba and remaining consistent throughout each match.

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

But after Algeria’s victory over the Panthers on Tuesday, Algerian player Mohamed Amine Amoura faced backlash for imitating Mboladinga and falling to the ground as if a statue had fallen.

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

The Desert Foxes appeared to be on their way to a penalty shootout before Adil Bulbina scored the winner in the 119th minute to secure their place in the quarter-finals where they face Nigeria on Saturday.

“At that moment, I didn’t know what the person or symbol in the stands represented,” said Amora, who also plays for German club Wolfsburg. “I simply wanted to joke in a nice way, without any ill intent or desire to provoke anyone.”

Lumumba is not only viewed as a hero in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he was assassinated in 1961 in 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 anti-colonial movement in Africa.

After Tuesday’s final whistle at Rabat’s Moulay Hassan Stadium, 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 some tears, slowly got down from his makeshift pedestal and leaned against it, his head in his hands.

The Algerian Football Federation contacted Mboladinga following Amoura’s remorseful statement and invited him to the hotel where the North African team is staying in Rabat to meet the players.

The big fan was unable to make it to the Moroccan capital, so Said Flack, FAF’s media officer, traveled to the Novotel Hotel in Casablanca to see him and other Congolese fans on Wednesday evening.

There, Vilac presented Lemboladenga with his Desert Foxes jersey with the name “Lumumba” printed on the back.

Congolese fans captured videos and photos of the entente, which was also attended by Congolese Sports Minister Didier Bodembo, showing Mboladinga next to Villak in a new football shirt.

It is not clear whether Lumumba’s superfan and base will make it to Mexico, where the Panthers are expected to play in qualifiers for the Intercontinental World Cup in March.

Six teams will compete for the final two places in the World Cup finals, which start in June.

Algeria has already qualified for the tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, and Amora hopes he can see the Panthers there too.

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