The African Cup of Nations tournament has always thrown up a lot of incidents that you don’t see in regular football matches and the 2025 iteration, which was a little lacking in these moments, finally found one through a DR Congo fan. In a video that quickly went viral on social media, the fan nicknamed Lumumba because of his pose resembling Patrice Lumumba, the ex-Prime Minister of Congo, stood motionless throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes of the match between his country and Botswana. The fan had done the same thing in Congo’s opening match against Senegal as well. Senegal, Congo and Benin were already sure of progressing before their final group D games late Tuesday. In the end, Senegal topped the group on goal difference after its 3-0 win over Benin, while Congo finished second after a 3-0 win over Botswana. Botswana had already lost to Senegal and Benin and was certain of finishing last. This DR Congo fan stayed on his feet for the full 90 minutes of the match 😱 Don’t miss all of the #AFCON2025 on #beINSPORTS 📺#beINAFCON2025 #CAN2025 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/VOEU1nGxFe — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 30, 2025 Top spot ensured Senegal stays in Tangier for its first knockout game on Saturday against a third-place finisher from Groups B, E or F. But the 2021 champion will be without suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly. Also Read | African Nations Cup needs a World Cup winner to get the recognition it deserves Congo next faces Algeria, and Benin – like the other surviving third-place finishers – will face one of the group winners. Meanwhile, host nation Morocco progressed as the winner of Group A, followed by second-place Mali with just three points from three draws. Morocco next faces a third-place finisher from Groups C, D or E on Sunday. More importantly for the Atlas Lions, they will continue their run to the final in the almost 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will also stage the final on Jan. 18. Mali awaits Tunisia for a showdown in Casablanca on Saturday. (With agency inputs)
WATCH: DR Congo fan stands motionless for full 90 mins in country’s AFCON matches
