PHOTOS: Algeria vs Nigeria: Akor Adams dedicate goal to Patrice Lumumba and Congolese superfan

Super Eagles striker Akor Adams opted for the iconic when he scored the second goal in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory against Algeria, dedicating his goal to Congolese pan-African leader Patrice Lumumba in emulation of superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga.

During the ongoing AFCON, a supporter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo named Michel Kuka Mboladinga became one of the tournament’s most striking figures by standing motionless in the stands for the entirety of DR Congo’s matches with his right arm raised. 

He mirrored the pose of the statue of Patrice Lumumba, the nation’s first prime minister and a seminal independence hero who was assassinated in January 1961. 

Mboladinga set up a small podium or stand at each game, dressed formally and colourfully and held the statue-like stance for every match, including the dramatic Round of 16 loss to Algeria after a 119th-minute winner. That powerful, peaceful homage captured wide attention, and he was recognised by the CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, as well as the tournament’s hosts, Morocco.

Algerian forward Mohamed Amoura briefly mimicked Mboladinga’s raised-arm pose after the Round of 16 win in a mocking manner, prompting social-media backlash and calls for understanding of the gesture’s historical meaning and an apology from the player, who said he “did not understand the significance.”

Akor pulling the celebration after scoring a goal, which effectively dashed the Desert Foxes' AFCON ambitions and helped the Super Eagles advance into the semi-finals, made it all the more iconic with the context of Amoura’s ill-advised taunt.

Lumumba himself is remembered as a central figure in the Congolese struggle for independence from Belgian colonial rule. The Pan-African figure is also well regarded for the role he played in fighting for Algeria’s independence from France, a fact which meant Amoura faced backlash from his countrymen as well.