When DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on Saturday evening, it was a historic moment in the history of the Leopards.
Playing in just their second World Cup, following their infamous, politically charged 1974 appearance when the country was known as Zaire, the three points meant that Sebastien Desabre’s side qualified out of Group K, to reach the knockout phase for the first time, where a clash against England awaits.
The victory sparked wild celebrations among the DR Congo faithful in the stands – but their most famous fan was not there to see it.
Iconic DR Congo fan denied US visa
Michel Kuka Mboladinga became a breakout star on social media when he attended DR Congo’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia in Guadalajara last Wednesday.
Dressed in a striking red jacket and tie, with a yellow shirt and blue trousers to match the colours of his country’s flag and to resemble his country’s first Prime Minister, Patrick Lumumba, Mboladinga watches his team’s games standing completely still, in tribute to the politician who was assassinated in 1961.
This has earned him the nickname ‘Lumumba Vea’, with Mboladinga also using these matches to raise his arm in a pose similar to the one held by Lumumba in a statue in Kinshasa, putting him in brilliant stark contrast to his countrymen’s vibrant singing and cheering in the stands beside him.
And while Mboladinga was able to watch his side play in Mexico, Reuters report that he was denied a visa to enter the United States, meaning he was unable to watch his side book a place in the last-32 of the World Cup.
He also missed DR Congo’s first Group K game, when they held Portugal to a 1-1 draw, as he was in quarantine due to the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.
The US government has not publicly disclosed why Mboladinga’s visa application was rejected, in line with long-established privacy laws which prevent any comment on individual cases.
Mboladinga has more than 280,000 followers on Instagram and acts as an official ambassador for the nation’s football federation, but as things stand, he will but be able to attend the match against England.
“Good luck to our national team. History is being made again. May God bless the DRC,” he posted on his Instagram account alongside a photograph of himself in his trademark pose.
Fans from across the world have voiced their support for Mboladinga, with DR Congo supporters even copying his iconic pose during the win over Uzbekistan.
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has led to heightened screening, quarantine measures and visa hold-ups.