Michel Kuka Mboladinga, known as a fervent supporter of the DR Congo national football team, was denied a United States visa and was unable to attend the team's World Cup match against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Mboladinga is known for standing completely motionless during matches as a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of DR Congo, resembling the statue of Lumumba in Kinshasa. He wears colorful suits in the national colors and is nicknamed "Lumumba Vea" in honor of this tribute [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Mboladinga previously supported DR Congo in their first World Cup match against Colombia on June 23 in Guadalajara, which the team lost 1-0. His arrival to the World Cup was delayed due to Ebola-related travel restrictions imposed on DR Congo travelers amid a local outbreak [1, 4, 6].
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has reached 1,203 confirmed cases and 321 deaths as of June 26, 2026, contributing to travel restrictions impacting fans like Mboladinga [1, 4, 6]. Earlier this year, upon returning from the Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, Mboladinga was recognized by the Congolese government and gifted a four-wheel drive jeep for his passionate support of the national team [1, 4, 6].
To fill the void left by Mboladinga’s absence at the June 27 match, a 28-year-old impersonator named Enock Kabwende stood in for him. Kabwende wore a dark suit with leopard print and stood motionless like Mboladinga during the match, where DR Congo won 3-1 over Uzbekistan in front of about 69,000 fans [2, 3, 5]. Kabwende said, "I want to keep the culture going" and added, "He didn't come here, but we have to represent our country. Patrice Lumumba represents liberty, strong power, prosperity, and freedom in our country" [2]. He stressed, "We are family" when referring to Mboladinga [3].
Congolese Ambassador to Washington, Kapinga Yvette Ngandu, expressed her hope that Mboladinga would be granted a visa for the next stage of the tournament, saying, "I hope he brings his own brand of support to the team" [1].
DR Congo’s next World Cup match is scheduled against England in Atlanta on July 1, 2026. Kabwende said he hopes to stand alongside Mboladinga if the latter secures a visa for that match [2, 3, 5].
