Michel Koka Mbouladinga will not be able to attend the decisive match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan after his application for a US entry visa was rejected — this despite having become a true icon during the most recent Africa Cup of Nations through his silent solidarity with Patrice Lumumba.
The Democratic Republic of Congo will play their decisive match against Uzbekistan in Atlanta without their most prominent supporter. Michel Koka Mbouladinga, who became a true icon during the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, was denied a US entry visa and will therefore be unable to be present in Atlanta for the important fixture.
Mbouladinga, nicknamed "Lumumba Fia", became famous for his steadfast presence throughout all of the DRC's matches in Morocco, in tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the country's prime minister who was assassinated in 1961.
Despite arriving late to the World Cup due to restrictions placed on travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo because of the Ebola outbreak, he managed to attend the match that ended in his country's defeat to Colombia (0-1) in Guadalajara, according to the French newspaper L'Équipe.