DR Congo’s superfan, Michel Kuka Mboladinga, more popularly known as Lumumba Vea, says he will not be present for the country’s playoff against Jamaica on Tuesday in Guadalajara, Mexico, after he failed to obtain a visa.

Lumumba Vea, who is well-known for standing motionless throughout football games mimicking the posture of former Prime Minister of the DR Congo Patrice Lumumba, made the announcement in a tweet on X on Monday.

“Hi everyone, it is with deep regret that I announce that I will ultimately not be in Mexico. We were in Kenya, but despite all the efforts made, particularly by the Minister of Sports, His Excellency Didier Budimbu, we were unable to obtain visas,” Lumumba Vea wrote.

He said he sought to obtain an expedited visa for Mexico by travelling to Ethiopia, but noted that securing an express visa requires a minimum one-day processing.

“Unfortunately, even in an emergency situation, obtaining an express visa requires a minimum of one day of processing, and this is under specific conditions.

“Given that this was an important mission — accompanying the Leopards — and considering the length of the journey to Mexico (between 18 and 22 hours with one stopover, and up to 30 hours with two stopovers), it seemed impossible to arrive on time and properly carry out this mission,” he said.

Lumumba Vea said he has made the decision to return to Kinshasa in order to support the country’s ambassadors in a different way.