Algeria apologises after player mocks Congolese superfan dressed as pan-African hero

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete January 8, 2026 at 06:57 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Algeria's football federation apologized after Algerian player Mohamed Amine Amoura mocked a Congolese superfan, Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco. Mboladinga gained attention for dressing as Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo's first leader, and standing motionless like a statue during matches. After Algeria defeated DR Congo, Amoura mimicked Mboladinga, prompting backlash and an apology from the player on Instagram, claiming no disrespect was intended. The Algerian Football Association (Faf) contacted Mboladinga, inviting him to meet the team, but instead, a Faf media officer met him in Casablanca. Lumumba is considered a hero in DR Congo and a prominent figure in Africa's anti-colonial movement.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nigeria 40% United States 40% UK 40% Belgium 40% Rabat ×250% Algerian Football Association ×250% Africa Cup of Nations ×260% Mohamed Amine Amoura ×370% Democratic Republic of Congo ×470% Algeria ×370% Patrice Lumumba ×480% Michel Nkuka Mboladinga ×790%

Keywords

congolese superfan 90% patrice lumumba 80% apology 70% algeria 70% afcon 70% dr congo 70% mohamed amine amoura 60% mocking gesture 60% anti-colonial movement 50% football 40%