AFCON 2025: CAF Sends Message to Akor Adams After Tribute to DR Congo Superfan Mboladinga ‘Lumumba’
- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sent a message to Super Eagles striker Akor Adams
- Adams scored Nigeria’s second goal in the win over Algeria, and his celebration has caught attention
- The striker dedicated his celebration to Michel Kuka Mboladinga, the DR Congo superfan at AFCON
- Nigerian writer Osaze Ero applauds Akor Adams and claimed that the gesture proves that Nigerians are one of the good guys
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) sent a message to Super Eagles striker Akor Adams after his goal celebration against Algeria in Marrakech.
Adams scored Nigeria’s second goal against the Desert Foxes on January 10, 2026, atoning for his earlier misses, which could have given his country the lead.
Source: Twitter
What caught the attention of most fans was the Sevilla striker’s goal celebration, which was in honour of DR Congo superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga, who is popularly known as ‘Lumumba Vea’.
CAF sends message to Akor Adams
Adams' celebration imitated Mboladinga, who stood for the entirety of all DR Congo’s games to honour the legacy of former prime minister Patrice Lumumba.
CAF noted the Nigerian striker's show of respect for the Congolese fan and shared his photo on their official X page, accompanied by a powerful message.
“Standing still. Akor. 🇳🇬,” CAF wrote on X.
The Super Eagles star earned respect for the gesture after Algerian star Mohamed Amoura disrespected Mboladinga after Algeria’s win over DR Congo.
As noted by Bein Sport, the Algerian national team apologised for the incident, and the striker published a statement citing his apparent ignorance.
Fans called Adams’ gesture a touch of class and wished Nigeria well for the rest of the tournament, with a semi-final tie with Morocco on the horizon.
@MrChirenga wrote:
“Love the fact that Africans are becoming more and more united fam …. Love From Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 ❤️”
@LawrenceLual wrote:
“This is a good lesson to Algeria fans who were mocking DRC die hard fans.Congrats #SuperEagles, go on win the AFCON please 🙏🏽 💙 ❤️.”
@PatrickMos46611 wrote:
“I think the whole of Africa was behind Nigeria just like we are behind them in their next match, there's no way they were gonna lose.”
Nigerian journalist Osaze Ero praised Akor Adams' classy action and what it symbolises, placing Nigeria as one of the historically sound and legacy respecting guys in Africa.
"Akor Adams' gesture proves that Nigeria are still one of the good guys in Africa. We are sensitive to history and respect other country's heroes' labours," he told Legit.ng.
"There are some lines we don't cross regardless of the difference. Our usual banter mate Ghana can attest to this. We recently clashed with DR Congo in a fiery match, which we lost, but still respect them."
Eric Chelle praises Akor Adams
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle singled out Adams for praise after another brilliant performance alongside Victor Osimhen in the Eagles’ attack.
The Sevilla forward has provided balance in the Nigerian national team's attack, reducing the workload on his teammate with his energy and combination.
Source: Getty Images
“Like I said, the group is more important than the player, but Akor is in this team; he gives everything for his team, for his brothers,” he said as quoted by All Nigeria Soccer.
“The other players once again gave everything tonight for the group. Today the win is for us. We have to stay humble and continue to work.”
The players and staff returned to Fez on Sunday afternoon, from where they will continue preparations for the semi-final vs Morocco on January 14.
CAF sends message to Super Eagles
Legit.ng also recently reported that CAF hailed Nigeria after the country secured a semi-final spot against the host nation.
CAF applauded the Super Eagles’ performance against Algeria as they prepare to face a tough semi-final against Morocco.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
