NEW DELHI: One of the most recognisable faces of DR Congo football was missing from the stands when the African nation held Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening World Cup match on Wednesday.Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, better known as Lumumba Vea, could not attend the match in Houston because he is currently undergoing a 21-day quarantine following an Ebola outbreak.Mboladinga has become famous around the football world for his unique support of the DR Congo national team. During the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, television cameras repeatedly focused on the sharply dressed supporter who would stand perfectly still for entire matches, sometimes for 90 or even 120 minutes.His unusual appearance quickly went viral on social media, with many fans calling him “the statue fan”. Mboladinga’s pose is a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of DR Congo and one of the country’s most important historical figures. His raised arm mirrors the famous Lumumba monument in Kinshasa, while the vintage glasses, tailored suit and rigid posture are all carefully chosen to honour the independence leader.After gaining worldwide attention during AFCON, DR Congo decided to include him as part of their official delegation for the World Cup.However, his quarantine meant he was unable to watch his country’s historic match against Portugal from the stands.His absence was felt by many supporters who had become accustomed to seeing him during DR Congo matches.
There is good news, though. Mboladinga is expected to complete his quarantine in time to attend DR Congo’s next World Cup match against Colombia on June 23.On the field, DR Congo produced one of the surprises of the tournament by holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw.Playing in their first World Cup in 52 years, DR Congo became the second African nation to impress against European opposition after Cape Verde’s goalless draw against Spain earlier in the week.Portugal coach Roberto Martinez admitted his side failed to produce their best performance.“The World Cup is a tournament where this happens,” Martinez said. “At times the performance is not up to the challenge.”In front of a crowd of 68,777 at NRG Stadium, most of whom were supporting Portugal, DR Congo earned the first World Cup point in their history after losing all three of their previous matches in the competition.While the result on the pitch was memorable, many fans will be hoping that when DR Congo face Colombia next, their famous “statue fan” will once again be back in his place in the stands.