Algeria Apologizes for leapba statue of Dr Congo afcon a superfan

Algeria’s football federation has apologized to a Congolese superfan who became one of the stars of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) held in Morocco.

Michel Nkuka Mboladinga supported the Democratic Republic of Congo by dressing as the country’s revered first leader Patrice Lumumba and remained stock-still in every match.

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

But after Algeria defeated Leopards on Tuesday, Algerian player Mohamed Amine Amoura faced backlash for imitating Mboladinga and falling to the ground as if the statue had fallen.

This prompted the 25-year-old forward to post an apology on Instagram, saying his action was not meant to disrespect DR Congo.

The Desert Foxes looked like they were heading to penalties before Adil Boulbina scored in the 119th minute, securing a place in the quarter-finals.

“At that time, I didn’t know what the person represented or symbolized in the stands. I just wanted to joke, in a good nature, without any bad intentions or desire to provoke anyone,” said Amoura, who also plays for the German team Wolfsburg.

Lumumba is not only seen as a hero in the DR Congo, where he was assassinated in 1961 in a plot supported by Belgium, the UK and the US, but is also considered one of the most prominent voices of the anti-colonial movement in Africa.

After Amoura’s contrite statement, the Algerian Football Association (Faf) invited Mboladinga – with his hairstyle and glasses like Lumumba – to the hotel where the North African team is staying in Rabat to meet the players.

The superfan was unable to make it to the Moroccan capital so Faf’s media officer Saïd Fellak traveled to the Novotel Hotel in Casablanca to see him and other Congolese supporters on Wednesday night.

There Fellak presented Mboladinga with his own Desert Foxes jersey with the name “Lumumba” printed on the back.

Videos and photos of the entente cordiale, which was also attended by Congolese Sports Minister Didier Budimbu, were captured by Congolese fans, showing Mboladinga next to Fellak in his new football shirt.

It is unclear whether the Lumumba superfan and his pedestal will make it to Mexico, where the Leopards are expected to play in March’s much-anticipated intercontinental World Cup qualifiers.

Six teams will compete to be allocated the last two spots up for grabs for the World Cup, which starts in June.

Algeria have already qualified for the tournament jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States – and Amoura hopes to see the Leopards there too.

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