Algeria's football federation has apologized to a Congolese superfan who has become one of the stars of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) being held in Morocco. Michel Nkuka Mboladinga has supported the Democratic Republic of Congo by dressing up as the country's revered first leader Patrice Lumumba and remaining stock-still throughout every match. He stood on a pedestal with his right arm raised - just like Lumumba's famous statue in DR Congo's capital, Kinshasa - as fans around him cheered.
But after Algeria beat the Leopards on Tuesday, Algerian player Mohamed Amine Amoura faced a backlash for mimicking Mboladinga and falling to the ground as though the statue had been knocked over. This prompted the 25-year-old forward to post an apology on Instagram, saying his gesture was not intended to disrespect DR Congo. Following Amoura's contrite statement, the Algerian Football Association (Faf) invited Mboladinga - who with his hairstyle and glasses looks remarkably like Lumumba - to the hotel where the North African team are staying in Rabat to meet the players. Events unfolded to reinforce the values of sportsmanship and respect for historical figures in a competitive sporting environment.
But after Algeria beat the Leopards on Tuesday, Algerian player Mohamed Amine Amoura faced a backlash for mimicking Mboladinga and falling to the ground as though the statue had been knocked over. This prompted the 25-year-old forward to post an apology on Instagram, saying his gesture was not intended to disrespect DR Congo. Following Amoura's contrite statement, the Algerian Football Association (Faf) invited Mboladinga - who with his hairstyle and glasses looks remarkably like Lumumba - to the hotel where the North African team are staying in Rabat to meet the players. Events unfolded to reinforce the values of sportsmanship and respect for historical figures in a competitive sporting environment.
