AFCON 2025: Congolese supporters shine in stands
Original public source text. It may contain French even on an English source page. This is not a reviewed English translation. Recovered images and media appear below when available.
Image unavailable.
All original articlesCongolese supporters are causing a sensation in Morocco. In the stands, you can feel the atmosphere they create and some of them have even become real stars of the competition.
If we had to do the AFCON of supporters, the DRC would be among the favorites for the final title. Indeed, the Congolese supporters do not fail to get noticed in the stands during all the matches of the Leopards at the AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Michel Kuka, alias Lumumba, real star
The success of Congolese fans during the final phases of the AFCON is almost a tradition for the DRC. In almost every edition, at least one Congolese stands out. There was 'Evoloko' during several editions, then 'Malula' in Ivory Coast. In Morocco, the biggest star is 'Lumumba', whose real name is Michel Kuka.
Nicknamed Lumumba in the DRC following, first of all, his resemblance to the former Congolese Prime Minister, Patrice Emery Lumumba. But his great success is due to his ability to stand throughout the match with a raised hand, without moving, imitating the statue of the former leader, erected in Kinshasa.
Victim of his success, his entries and exits of the stadiums have become complicated all the more so as he is invaded by the media and other supporters.
"I am myself surprised by the magnitude that I had in this competition, I did not expect it. I’m an artist, a host, it’s my job,"
he said.
The Minister of Sports, Didier Budimbu, managed to obtain from the Congolese government, the trip to Morocco for 600 supporters including 130 hosts to support the Leopards with the entire Congolese community living in Morocco as well as other Congolese from around the world.