Congo’s famed “living statue” finally made his World Cup debut Tuesday.
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who rose to prominence during the Africa Cup of Nations for standing motionless while dressed as a statue of Congo’s assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba, attended Congo’s 1-0 loss to Colombia after missing the opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine protocols.
Known to fans as Lumumba Vea because of his resemblance to the late leader, he arrived about an hour before kickoff at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. He wore a bright red jacket and tie, a yellow shirt and blue trousers.
As the match began, he took his usual position on a pedestal behind the Congo bench and stood completely still, right arm raised.
Mboladinga returned to the pedestal a few minutes late after halftime but remained there through the final whistle and briefly afterward.
