115 unbelievable minutes of an African fan, the world stunned

Amid the passionate crowd at AFCON 2025, an African fan chose to cheer silently but still captured the attention of the entire world.

In the 3-0 victory over Botswana on December 31, the DR Congo not only secured a spot in the AFCON 2025 round of 16 but also created a special moment in the stands. Amid the electrifying atmosphere of the African football festival, the image of a fan standing motionless throughout the match quickly drew everyone's gaze.

That man is Kuka Mboladinga. Contrary to the surrounding drums, dances, and vibrant colors, Mboladinga stood upright on the platform, wearing a suit and tie, raising one hand like a living statue. He maintained that posture for 115 minutes, including stoppage time, without wavering.

This incredible steadfastness quickly went viral on social media. Many expressed admiration for Mboladinga's endurance and spirit, calling it a “unique way of cheering.” On platform X, many fans commented: “This is true patriotic spirit at its peak”, “Unbelievable stamina” or “The GOAT of fans”.

However, his motionless stance was not just to attract attention. According to African media, Mboladinga performed this ritual to honor a leader of DR Congo. For him, silence and endurance were ways to show respect, turning the football stands into a space with deep spiritual significance.

Notably, this was not Mboladinga’s first appearance as a “living statue” at AFCON 2025. Previously, he stood still during the 1-0 win against Benin on opening day and the 1-1 draw with Senegal. Each time, this image created a powerful impact.

As DR Congo prepared to face Algeria in the round of 16 on January 6, many believed Mboladinga would again be present in the stands. Regardless of the team’s outcome, this unique fan has become a strange yet emotional symbol of AFCON 2025.

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