Michel Kuka Mboladinga, the iconic superfan of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will miss Saturday's crucial World Cup match against Uzbekistan after being denied a United States visa.

Mboladinga gained fame at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he stood motionless throughout matches as a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the country's first prime minister executed in 1961.

Dressed in colorful suits resembling Lumumba, his unique style earned him worldwide attention. Upon returning home, he was gifted a four-wheel drive vehicle by the Congolese government.

He attended DR Congo's last match against Colombia in Guadalajara but will not be in Atlanta for the must-win game. Congolese ambassador Kapinga Yvette Ngandu expressed hope he could obtain a visa if the team advances to the knockout stage.

Mboladinga's arrival at the World Cup was delayed due to travel restrictions from the Ebola outbreak. DR Congo has reported 1,203 confirmed Ebola cases, including 321 deaths.

Source: www.aljazeera.com