Congo’s famous living statue “Lumumba Vea” will miss the World Cup playoff against Jamaica because he was unable to get a visa in time.
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who gained fame during the Africa Cup of Nations for posing as a statue of Congo’s assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba for the entirety of games, traveled to Kenya and then Ethiopia in a bid to get a visa to attend Tuesday’s playoff in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Despite his efforts, he ran out of time.
“Unfortunately, even in an emergency situation, obtaining an express visa requires at least one day of processing, and even then, only under specific conditions,” Nkuka Mboladinga wrote on X.
“Given the importance of the mission – accompanying the Leopards – and the length of the journey to Mexico (18 to 22 hours with one stopover, and up to 30 hours with two), it seemed impossible to arrive on time and properly fulfill this mission,” he wrote. “I therefore decided to return to Kinshasa to support our ambassadors in a different way.”
Journalist Grévy Tambwe, who translated for Nkuka Mboladinga during an interview for The Associated Press in January, confirmed that the social media post came from Nkuka Mboladinga.
“We’re a bit heartbroken by this episode but it’s OK, we remain in touch with the national team and we’ll watch the match together with the other supporters and Michel will perform even if it’s at a distance,” Tambwe told The AP.
Nkuka Mboladinga became a social media star at the Africa Cup for posing as a statue of Lumumba on a pedestal with his right hand raised and staying entirely still for the team’s games.
Lumumba is widely hailed as the nationalist activist who helped to end Belgium’s colonial rule over Congo in 1960. He became the new independent country’s first prime minister and was seen as one of Africa’s most promising new leaders, but he was killed within a year during a struggle against a Belgian-backed secessionist movement in the mineral-rich Katanga region.
A Belgian court in March ordered a 93-year-old former diplomat to stand trial for the assassination. Etienne Davignon, who previously denied any wrongdoing, is the last living among 10 Belgians suspected of involvement in the killing and has been charged with “participation in war crimes” for his role in the “unlawful detention and transfer” of Lumumba.
Congo reached the last 16 of the Africa Cup. After being eliminated by Algeria, the Leopards' attention quickly switched to World Cup qualifying. If Congo does beat Jamaica in their playoff, it will be the second-to-last team to qualify for the 48-country competition before Iraq plays Bolivia in the last playoff in Monterrey, Mexico.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, a DR Congo fan impersonating late Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, strikes a pose during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)
FILE - Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, a DR Congo fan impersonating late Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, strikes a pose during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)
SMITH FALLS, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 31, 2026--
Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy Growth” or the “Company”) (TSX: WEED) (Nasdaq: CGC) today announced Deelish ("DEE-LISH"), a new cannabis brand built for the everyday consumer with an everyday price.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331523789/en/
Deelish enters the market built to deliver high THC with flower testing at 27%-33% THC and pre-rolls at 26%-32% THC. And unlike brands built around a single profile, Deelish rotates its genetic lineup regularly, giving consumers access to a curated range of cultivars over time.
“The value segment is one of the most active parts of the Canadian cannabis market. Consumers know exactly what they want, and Deelish was made to deliver a high-potency product with a price that respects how they shop. This is a brand built on listening, and we’re confident it reflects where this market is going,” said Luc Mongeau, Chief Executive Officer, Canopy Growth.
Deelish launched with four SKUs across formats:
Pretty Sweet Sativa 28g Whole Flower | 27-33% THC
Pretty Sweet Sativa 2x1g Pre-roll Joints | 26-32% THC
Pretty Chill Indica28g Whole Flower | 27-33% THC
Pretty Chill Indica 2x1g Pre-roll Joints | 26-32% THC
Now available at select stores across Ontario and Alberta.
About Canopy Growth
Canopy Growth is a world-leading cannabis company dedicated to unleashing the power of cannabis to improve lives.
Through an unwavering commitment to consumers, Canopy Growth delivers innovative products from owned and licensed brands including Tweed, 7ACRES, DOJA, Deep Space, Deelish, Claybourne, MTL Cannabis, Low Key by MTL and R'belle, as well as category defining vaporization devices by Storz & Bickel.
Canopy Growth is Canada’s leading provider of medical cannabis services. Through Canada House Clinics Inc., the Company operates clinics across Canada that work directly with primary care teams to provide specialized cannabinoid therapy services to patients suffering from simple and complex medical conditions. Abba Medix, Canopy Growth’s established online medical channel, serves as a leading distributor of medical cannabis in Canada, together expanding the Company’s ability to reach and support patients nationwide and internationally.
Canopy Growth has also established a comprehensive ecosystem to realize the opportunities presented by the U.S. THC market through an unconsolidated, non-controlling interest in Canopy USA. Canopy USA’s portfolio includes ownership of Acreage Holdings, Inc., a vertically integrated multi‑state cannabis operator with operations throughout the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, as well as ownership of Wana Wellness, LLC, The Cima Group, LLC, and Mountain High Products, LLC, a leading North American edibles brand, and majority ownership of Lemurian, Inc., a California-based producer of high-quality cannabis extracts and clean vape technology.
At Canopy Growth, we’re shaping a future where cannabis is embraced for its potential to enhance well-being and improve lives. With high-quality products, a commitment to responsible use, and a focus on enhancing the communities where we live and work, we’re paving the way for a better understanding of all that cannabis can offer.
For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com.
High THC, Everyday Price. Deelish is Canopy Growth's newest brand, delivering high THC with flower testing at 27%-33% THC and pre-rolls at 26%-32% THC.
