Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhen DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta on Saturday evening, it was a historic moment in the history of the Leopards.Playing in just their second World Cup, following their infamous, politically charged 1974 appearance when the country was known as Zaire, the three points meant that Sebastien Desabres side qualified out of Group K, to reach the knockout phase for the first time, where a clash against England awaits.The victory sparked wild celebrations among the DR Congo faithful in the stands - but their most famous fan was not there to see it.Iconic DR Congo fan denied US visaA post shared by Lumumba VEA (@lumumbaveaofficiel)A photo posted by on Michel Kuka Mboladinga became a breakout star on social media when he attended DR Congos 1-0 defeat to Colombia in Guadalajara last Wednesday.Dressed in a striking red jacket and tie, with a yellow shirt and blue trousers to match the colours of his countrys flag and to resemble his countrys first Prime Minister, Patrick Lumumba, Mboladinga watches his teams games standing completely still, in tribute to the politician who was assassinated in 1961. You may like Who is DR Congo's 'living statue' Michel Nkuka? DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad: Sebastian Desabre's final selection How to watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan live streams online for FREE. This has earned him the nickname Lumumba Vea, with Mboladinga also using these matches to raise his arm in a pose similar to the one held by Lumumba in a statue in Kinshasa, putting him in brilliant stark contrast to his countrymens vibrant singing and cheering in the stands beside him.And while Mboladinga was able to watch his side play in Mexico, Reuters report that he was denied a visa to enter the United States, meaning he was unable to watch his side book a place in the last-32 of the World Cup.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.He also missed DR Congos first Group K game, when they held Portugal to a 1-1 draw, as he was in quarantine due to the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.The US government has not publicly disclosed why Mboladingas visa application was rejected, in line with long-established privacy laws which prevent any comment on individual cases.Mboladinga has more than 280,000 followers on Instagram and acts as an official ambassador for the nations football federation, but as things stand, he will but be able to attend the match against England."Good luck to our national team. History is being made again. May God bless the DRC, he posted on his Instagram account alongside a photograph of himself in his trademark pose.Fans from across the world have voiced their support for Mboladinga, with DR Congo supporters even copying his iconic pose during the win over Uzbekistan.The ongoing Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has led to heightened screening, quarantine measures and visa hold-ups.TOPICSEnglandCongo DRWorld Cup 2026World CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.
