The Algerian Football Federation formally has apologized to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following an incident involving Algerian player Mohamed Amoura.
After Algeria’s 1-0 victory over the DRC in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) on January 6, Amoura made a mocking gesture toward Congolese supporter Michel Kuka, also known as Lumumba VEA.
A delegation from the Algerian Federation visited the hotel in Rabat where Congolese supporters were staying and presented Michel Kuka with an Algerian national team jersey bearing his name. The ceremony was attended by the Congolese Minister of Sports, Didier Budimbu.
A representative of the Algerian Federation expressed regret over the incident:
“The man, or at least the person he was, embodies many values for Algerians. There already exists a strong relationship between Algeria and Congo. Right after the match, even before the controversy erupted, the players wanted to have our friend Michel in the locker room for a photo. It’s a small tribute to him and to Congo, a brotherly country. The match was played in complete fair play,” the representative said.
Mohamed Amoura himself later expressed regret: “If my attitude was misunderstood, I regret it.”
Lumumba VEA is well known in the DRC for honoring Patrice Emery Lumumba, the country’s independence hero, and has become an iconic figure among Congolese football supporters.
