After slotting home Nigeria's second goal in the 57th minute, the Sevilla striker didn't go for his usual routine. Instead, he paused, raised his right arm in a powerful, motionless salute—perfectly recreating the iconic pose of Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba. This wasn't random; it was a direct tribute to Michel Kuka Mboladinga (often called "Lumumba"), the legendary DR Congo superfan who's become one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
Here are some stunning shots capturing Akor Adams' powerful tribute:
The RDC Afrique Football official X account (the DR Congo FA-affiliated page, also known as @RDCAfrikFoot) perfectly captured the moment in their viral post:
"🆕️ Akor Adams a célébré son but contre l’Algérie avec le salut de Michel Kuka Mboladinga, le célèbre sosie de Patrice Lumumba ✋ Un clin d’œil fort, symbole de respect et de fraternité entre Super Eagles et Léopards. Le foot, c’est aussi des messages et des émotions… 💙"
This heartfelt shoutout from the Congolese football community highlighted the deep symbolism: a gesture of respect, brotherhood, and Pan-African solidarity between Nigeria's Super Eagles and DR Congo's Léopards.
But why did this hit so hard? Just days earlier, during Algeria's dramatic Round of 16 win over DR Congo, Algerian forward Mohamed Amoura had mockingly imitated Mboladinga's famous pose—standing still with arm raised—after the match. The act drew widespread backlash for disrespecting the historical tribute to Lumumba, Congo's first prime minister and a revered anti-colonial icon assassinated in 1961. Amoura later apologized, and the Algerian FA reached out to Mboladinga with a jersey, but the damage was done.
Adams' celebration felt like poetic justice to many fans—a classy, silent response that said: "We stand with our African brothers." CAF itself praised the moment, sharing photos with the caption "Standing still. Akor. 🇳🇬," while Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle joined in the applause.
Here’s Michel Kuka Mboladinga himself embodying the legendary Lumumba tribute that inspired it all:
Mboladinga has stood motionless on a podium in full formal attire for every minute of DR Congo's matches at AFCON 2025, turning football into a powerful homage to history and dignity. His viral presence even earned him recognition from CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
Adams' gesture reminds us that football is more than goals—it's about messages, emotions, and unity across the continent. As Nigeria marches toward the semifinals against Morocco, this moment of solidarity will be remembered as one of the tournament's most iconic.
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