Some stories at AFCON don’t come from the pitch:

During AFCON 2025, Michel Nkuka Mbodilanga has emerged as a powerful presence, not as a player, but as a supporter carrying history into the stadium.

Through a simple, deliberate pose, he referenced the spirit and essence of Patrice Lumumba, turning a football moment into an act of remembrance.

Our first essay in the ‘AFCON: Played in Rhythm’ series explores why that mattered.

For the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For the Africa Cup of Nations. And for anyone who believes football is more than results.

AFCON doesn’t just crown champions. Sometimes, it gives history a voice.

Read the full article now.