DR Congo players make appeal to country's President: Bring Lumumba with us to the WC
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 07.04.26. | 21:23
The impersonator of the first Prime Minister of the DR Congo, whose appearance went viral during the 2025 AFCON, became the symbol of the Leopards, who won't go to North America without him
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, it is slowly but surely becoming the topic #1 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After all, the Leopards haven't participated in the prestigious competition for 52 years, and each of their games in the USA, Canada, and Mexico will feel like a national holiday.
And while the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA) is pursuing reinforcements for Sebastian Desabre's squad, the Leopards' players have only one wish: to bring the famous Patrice Lumumba impersonator, Michel Kuka Mboladinga, with them to the World Cup!
🚨 DR Congo’s players have made a special request to the President. 🇨🇩
— Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) April 6, 2026
They want Lumumba to accompany the team at the World Cup — even if it means officially including him in the delegation and covering everything needed for his presence. 👏😍
Pure class. We’ll get to see him… pic.twitter.com/7UEximwILc
This Leopards' fan went viral during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as he stood for each DR Congo game dressed as the country's first Prime Minister. He became a symbol of the national team and apparently means a lot to the players.
In fact, he means so much to them that the team captain, Chancel Mbemba, on behalf of the whole squad, made an appeal to DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi for the "Lumumba fan" to accompany them to the tournament.
The response to this request has yet to be announced, though it wouldn't be surprising if Mboladinga were included in the Congolese delegation.
After all, a national team talisman has to be there if the Leopards want to achieve success.