فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The well-known Congolese fan nicknamed “Lumumba” has drawn wide attention during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, after media reports revealed on Friday that he had received an official Moroccan invitation to attend the final of the continental tournament being held in the Kingdom.
According to the same sources, the fan—Michel Nkuka Mbuladinga—has become one of the standout figures of the 35th edition of AFCON thanks to his striking presence in the stands and his symbolic style of support. This visibility earned him significant public and media engagement, opening the door for him to follow the remainder of the tournament through to the final.
Mbuladinga became famous for repeatedly standing in the stands with his right arm raised, a symbolic gesture referencing the historic leader of the Congolese liberation movement, Patrice Lumumba—a scene that has turned into a visual icon in the stadiums of the tournament.
In a related development, reports indicated that the Congolese fan recently returned to his country following an official invitation from the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi. He was received in the capital, Kinshasa, and honored in recognition of his impactful presence and distinctive imprint, which went beyond mere sports fandom during the continental competition.
The same sources added that Mbuladinga’s return to Morocco remains possible to attend the AFCON 2025 final, pending a final decision on the Moroccan proposal after assessing the logistical arrangements linked to the invitation.
According to observers, this interaction reflects the human and cultural dimension increasingly embodied by major sporting events, where certain fan figures become symbols that transcend the pitch and help cement the tournament’s image as a space for encounter and shared expression among African peoples.
Source: Fes News Media
