A dramatic 119th-minute winner by Algeria’s Adil Boulbina didn’t just knock DR Congo out of AFCON 2025—it ignited a firestorm over sportsmanship and national dignity.
The match centered on Michel Kuka Mboladinga, a Congolese superfan who stands motionless for 90+ minutes in the stands with his arm raised to honor independence icon Patrice Lumumba.
A “living statue” of pride, Mboladinga remained frozen until the final minute of extra time, when Algeria’s late goal finally broke his resolve, leaving him in tears.
The celebration turned sour when footage emerged of Algeria’s Mohammed Amoura allegedly mimicking the raised-arm pose.
While some dismiss it as harmless banter, many fans across the continent have slammed the gesture as “deeply disrespectful” to a tribute that carries profound historical weight for the Congolese people.
