Congo DR’s living statue Michel Nkuka Mboladinga appeared on a World Cup stage Tuesday in Guadalajara. Famous for impersonating Patrice Lumumba at the Africa Cup, he reached the stadium hour before Congo’s group game vs Colombia, dressed in a red jacket, yellow shirt and blue trousers. He assumed his pedestal behind bench, arm raised, and smiled when asked if he was happy to be there.

Nkuka missed Congo’s opening match against Portugal after Ebola quarantine barred his entry, and earlier he was denied a visa for the playoff that secured the nation’s first World Cup appearance in 52 years. He trekked from Kenya to Ethiopia seeking paperwork, only to arrive after the Jamaica win. His absence underscored the logistical hurdles smaller federations face during the tournament.

For Congolese supporters, seeing Lumumba Vea on the sidelines turned a routine group fixture into a cultural moment, reminding viewers of the nation’s turbulent history and its long‑awaited return to football’s biggest stage. The spectacle drew global attention to Congo’s campaign, adding pressure on a side that must now chase points against Colombia to stay alive.