What You Need to Know
The emotional response to the ‘Statue Fan’ from Congo has resonated across social media after his team’s exit from AFCON 2025. Known for standing still like a statue during matches, he expressed his sorrow through tears following the loss to Algeria. His dedication has garnered widespread sympathy and admiration from fans around the world.
Africa. Widespread sympathy has emerged for the “Statue Fan” following the Democratic Republic of Congo’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The fan, known as “Lumumba,” captured attention with his striking presence during every match of his national team in the ongoing tournament. He stood still like a statue for 90 minutes in each game, and even extended his endurance to 120 minutes during the round of 16 match against Algeria. However, his steadfastness came to an end when the referee blew the final whistle, marking a 1-0 loss for Congo in extra time. Overcome with emotion, he was seen crying and expressing his sorrow over his country’s exit from the tournament.
The Congolese fan gained fame for his statue-like stance throughout the match, drawing comparisons to the national liberation leader Patrice Lumumba. Sports content creator Bilal Haddad commented on a video of the fan’s iconic pose, stating, “The famous Congolese fan stood firm against Algeria.” A global sports account remarked, “While the Democratic Republic of Congo may have exited the AFCON, a special salute goes to Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the fan who remained as still as a statue throughout all their matches.”
Activist Adel Karim shared a photo of the fan from the stands on his X platform account, captioning it in both Arabic and English: “Thank you for making the whole world aware of the story of a true hero. Long live Africa!”
Another account commented on the fan’s famous images during AFCON, stating, “If there were an award for the best fan in this tournament, this man with a great message would certainly deserve it.”
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a prestigious football tournament held every two years, showcasing the best national teams from across the continent. The tournament has a rich history, with passionate fans often becoming part of the narrative, as seen with the ‘Statue Fan’ from Congo. His unique display of support highlights the deep emotional connections fans have with their teams, especially during significant competitions like AFCON.
