Rachid Agassim, the Ambassador of Morocco to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Kinshasa, received Michel Kuka Mboladinga, the legendary Congolese football fan known by his nickname ‘Lumumba Vea,’ on Friday. His striking presence at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco captured international attention, and he described the reception as warm and symbolic of deep respect between the two countries.
In a post on social media, he said he was “honored to be invited” and thanked Ambassador Agassim for the meaningful advice and rich exchanges that he believes will positively influence his professional journey.
Michel Kuka Mboladinga first rose to continental and international fame during AFCON 2025, where he uniquely supported the DRC national team, the Leopards. He literally stood completely motionless for the entire duration of their matches, often balancing on a small pedestal, perfectly mimicking the iconic pose of the Patrice Lumumba statue in Kinshasa.
This gesture was a powerful tribute to the late Congolese independence leader Patrice Émery Lumumba and a deep expression of national pride and identity.
His silence and total stillness in the stands, along with his specific outfit and symbolic pose, instantly went viral. Social media and international news outlets ran with his story, quickly making him one of the most memorable and talked-about figures of the entire tournament.
The Moroccan ambassador’s reception in Kinshasa is a perfect example of how sports and culture can actually become diplomacy. On his Instagram post, Lumumba Vea said he was deeply honored to receive, from the ambassador of Morocco, the symbolic jersey of the Zaire Leopards from the 1974 World Cup.
He described the gesture as powerful and rich in history, a sign of encouragement and good luck for today’s Leopards as they stand just one step away from returning the Congo to the world’s biggest football stage, “a dream the entire nation has been waiting for for more than 50 years.”
Read also: The Story of AFCON’s Most Famous ‘Statue’ Fan
