New Delhi: Democratic Republic of Congo’s most famous football fan Michel Kuka Mboladinga could not attend the most important exhibition in his country. FIFA World Cup struggle with Uzbekistan after being denied a United States visa.Known to fans around the world as “Lumumba Vea”, Mboladinga has become one of the most popular players in African football due to his unique way of supporting the team. However, he was forced to miss the big World Cup match in Congo despite going to support the team at the start of the tournament.The reason for the visa refusal has not been made public.Congolese Ambassador to Washington, DC, Kapinga Yvette Ngandu told Reuters that she hopes Mboladinga will still be able to join the team if DR Congo continues its World Cup campaign.“I believe he will bring his kind of support to the team,” he said.
Why is he so popular?
Mboladinga rose to international fame at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.Unlike some of his fans who sing and cheer throughout the game, he stands completely still for the 90 minutes with one arm raised. His speech pays tribute to Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo’s first prime minister, who led the country to independence before his assassination in 1961.He also wears colorful suits based on the country’s flag and looks a lot like Lumumba. His nickname, “Lumumba Vea”, comes from this tribute.His special support attracted the attention of the entire football world. After returning home from the Africa Cup of Nations, the Congolese government presented him with a four-wheel drive vehicle in recognition of his popularity.
The delay of the World Cup
Mboladinga’s journey to the World Cup had already faced difficulties before the visa issue.He missed DR Congo’s opening game against Portugal due to travel restrictions and self-isolation linked to the country’s Ebola outbreak.He arrived in time for Congo’s second team match against Colombia in Guadalajara, where the African team lost 1-0.But he was unable to travel to Atlanta for Saturday’s match against Uzbekistan after failing to obtain a US visa.
DR Congo has set a World Cup record
Even without their most famous sponsor in the stands, DR Congo produced one of the biggest results of the tournament.After falling behind to an early goal by Eldor Shomurodov, Congo fought back in the second half to win 3-1.Yoane Wissa equalized with a penalty in the 68th minute after being fouled inside the box. Fiston Mayele then put Congo ahead before Wissa struck again in stoppage time to seal an emphatic victory.The win saw DR Congo enter the Round of 32 for the first time in the country’s history.This is Congo’s second appearance at the FIFA World Cup and the first since they participated in the competition as Zaire in 1974, when they lost all three of their group games.The win also made DR Congo the eighth African nation to reach the 48-team FIFA World Cup.
