DR Congo's iconic superfan denied entry to US for World Cup match
DR Congo's iconic superfan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as 'Lumumba Vea', has been denied a US visa and will not attend the World Cup knockout game against England on Wednesday. He has been replaced by Enock Kabwende, dubbed 'Lumumba Junior'.
Mboladinga, who wears bright red, yellow and blue suits and stands motionless during matches in tribute to Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo's first leader assassinated in 1961, was in the stands for DR Congo's 1-0 defeat to Colombia in Mexico. However, US restrictions on travellers from DR Congo due to the Ebola outbreak have prevented his entry.
Ebola outbreak leads to visa denial
The United States' restrictions for travellers from DR Congo are due to the Ebola outbreak. Government data from last Friday showed 1,203 confirmed Ebola cases, including 321 deaths. Mboladinga's visa was denied as a result.
Enock Kabwende will replace Mboladinga, wearing a dark suit with leopard print and striking similar poses. Kabwende said: 'I want to keep the culture going. [Mboladinga] didn't come here, but we have to represent our country. Patrice Lumumba represents liberty, storing power, prosperity and freedom in our country.'
Ambassador: 'Lumumba Junior will carry the torch'
Yvette Kapinga Ngandu, DR Congo's ambassador to the US, said: 'If Lumumba Vea cannot travel, then Lumumba Junior will carry the torch in Atlanta. Michel is the real one but junior is smaller and a bit younger; he's the Generation Z fan. Lumumba Vea is here in spirit. He means so much to the nation and now he means so much to other nations. He probably will get a visa when we win against England but won't get one in time for this match.'
Ngandu added: 'We are beating England. When Congo win, it is going to send a message to the world that DRC is coming of age. The World Cup is strengthening our determination to show to the world the DRC is not just a crisis, not just a disease but a country of people who are extremely resilient.'
