Nigeria’s Akor Adams delivered a powerful moment of Pan-African solidarity today after scoring the decisive second goal in Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final win over Algeria.
The Sevilla striker used his goal celebration to pay homage to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first prime minister and independence hero, Patrice Lumumba.
Akor Adams’s homage was a direct response to an incident earlier in the tournament when Algeria’s Mohamed Amoura was accused of mocking a Congolese superfan, Michel Nkuka Mboladinga (known as the “Lumumba of the stands”), who stands motionless in tribute to the late leader during games.
Upon scoring today, Akor Adams performed a respectful version of the “Lumumba stance”—standing rigid with quiet dignity—before acknowledging the DR Congo fans in the stadium.
The act was widely praised on social media as a move to restore respect to a continental icon and promote African unity after the tensions of the previous round.
The “Lumumba” fan has become a viral symbol of the 2025/26 AFCON, representing the anti-colonial struggle. By adopting the pose, Adams has endeared himself not just to Nigerians but to football fans across the continent who viewed the earlier mockery as distasteful.
This report was produced by the editorial team at The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World in line with our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism. Information in this article is based on verified sources available at the time of publication. The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World may update the story as new facts emerge or additional context becomes available.
The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World accepts zero funding from governments, corporations, or political parties. No advertiser dictates our coverage. No political interest shapes our investigations. The journalism you just read exists because readers like you chose to protect it. Every contribution goes directly into the field — paying reporters, protecting sources, and ensuring the stories that matter get told without fear or favour.
Funded by Readers
Us Right Now
