The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Africa Cup of Nations journey ended in heartbreak on Tuesday night, but even in defeat, one figure ensured the Leopards left an unforgettable imprint on the tournament, Softfootball reports.
Michel Kuka Mboladinga famously dubbed DR Congo’s “human statue” — has emerged as one of AFCON’s most remarkable and symbolic supporters, captivating fans, media, and officials alike with his striking presence in the stands.
Clad in colourful Congolese attire, Kuka has become instantly recognisable for his ritual-like stance during matches: standing completely motionless, eyes lifted towards the sky, right arm raised with an open palm. He does not flinch, celebrate, or react — remaining frozen for the duration of the game, as if carved from stone.
His fame has grown rapidly over the course of the tournament, turning him into a cultural icon beyond football. On Tuesday, his status was underlined when he travelled to Morocco as part of a delegation of several hundred Congolese supporters, a trip reportedly funded by the DR Congo government. The group filled the stands in Rabat for the Round of 16 clash against Algeria, where the Leopards were cruelly eliminated by a late extra-time goal in a 1-0 defeat.
Just hours before kick-off, Kuka’s rising prominence reached new heights when he met CAF President Patrice Motsepe, a moment shared via the Confederation of African Football’s official X handle — a rare honour for a supporter and a clear sign of his growing influence.
Kuka’s iconic pose is deeply rooted in history. It is inspired by the statue of Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo’s independence leader and first prime minister, which stands in Kinshasa. Lumumba briefly led the country after independence in 1960 before being assassinated the following year in a plot involving Katangan separatists and Belgian mercenaries.
His body was dissolved in acid, never fully recovered, with the discovery decades later that some remains including a tooth had been kept in Belgium. His killing remains one of the darkest chapters in the history between Belgium and its former colony.
By adopting Lumumba’s stance, Kuka has transformed football fandom into a powerful act of remembrance, resistance, and national pride a living monument connecting DR Congo’s past struggles with its modern sporting ambitions.
Despite AFCON disappointment, hope is far from lost. DR Congo fans and football lovers across Africa will be eager to see Kuka again on the global stage after the Leopards defeated Nigeria on penalties to qualify for the intercontinental playoffs for a place at this year’s FIFA World Cup in North America.
Should DR Congo complete the final step, many believe the tournament would not be the same without its human statue standing tall, silent, and immovable, embodying the spirit of a nation every time the Leopards take the field.
