The Democratic Republic of Congo’s opening World Cup match against Portugal was a historic occasion.
Not only was the nation making just its second-ever appearance at the tournament – and first since 1974 when it was still known as Zaire – but Yoane Wissa’s towering header on the stroke of halftime marked the DRC’s first World Cup goal and earned its first point.
Yet, as Les Léopards took to the field, it felt as though something was missing.
This is because heading into the tournament, attention had focused not only on the players who would be sporting Congo’s famous sky blue jersey, but also whether the team’s unofficial 12th man would be in the stands: Michel Kuka Mboladinga, better known by his nickname “Lumumba Vea,” or “Lumumba Lives.”
Mboladinga is the Congolese national team’s most famous fan and rose to prominence during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he stood atop a pedestal with a steely gaze during every Congo match, remaining perfectly still with his right arm raised from beginning to end.
