Mohamed Amoura’s gesture sparked the start of a controversy. Once Algeria’s qualification for the CAN quarterfinals was assured and the elimination of the Democratic Republic of Congo was confirmed (1-0, ap), the Fennecs striker looked down at the Leopards supporters and more particularly Michel Kuka Mboladinga, the immobile man and figure of the Congolese public since the start of the tournament, in tears at the end of the round of 16.
Amoura imitated the pose of the human statue before lying down on the lawn of Rabat. But this chambering did not pass. Beyond the usual susceptibility between supporters, some followers criticized him for having made fun of the symbol of Congolese independence mimed by Michel Kuka Mboladinga. The latter performs this pose to pay tribute to Patrice Lumumba, hero assassinated in 1961. A statue in his likeness – with this famous raised hand – sits on the mausoleum of this former Congolese Prime Minister.
“I regret it”
Faced with criticism, the Algerian center forward wanted to “make one thing clear”. “At that time, I was not aware of what the person or symbol in the stand represented. I simply wanted to relax, in a good-natured spirit, without any bad intention or desire to provoke anyone,” Amoura wrote on Instagram.
“If my attitude could have been misunderstood, I sincerely regret it, because that was absolutely not my intention,” he continued. The Wolfsburg player adds respect for “Congo and its team”. “Frankly, I wish them the best and I hope they qualify for the World Cup,” assured Amoura.
