Algeria's football federation has apologised to a Congolese superfan who has become one of the stars of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) being held in Morocco. Michel Nkuka Mboladinga has supported the Democratic Republic of Congo by dressing up as the country's revered first leader Patrice Lumumba and remaining stock-still throughout every match. He stood on a pedestal with his right arm raised - just like Lumumba's famous statue in DR Congo's capital, Kinshasa - as fans around him cheered. But after Algeria beat the Leopards on Tuesday, Algerian player Mohamed Amine Amoura faced a backlash for mimicking Mboladinga and falling to the ground as though the statue had been knocked over. This prompted the 25-year-old forward to post an apology on Instagram, saying his gesture was not intended to disrespect DR Congo. In his statement, Amoura said, At that moment, I wasn't aware of what the person or symbol in the stands represented. I simply wanted to joke around, in a good-natured way, without any ill intent or desire to provoke anyone. Following Amoura's contrite statement, the Algerian Football Association (Faf) invited Mboladinga to meet the players. The superfan was unable to reach Rabat, so Faf’s media officer Saïd Fellak traveled to Casablanca's Novotel Hotel where he presented Mboladinga with a Desert Foxes jersey featuring Lumumba on the back. Amid the goodwill, Mboladinga’s ardent representation of Lumumba, regarded as a hero in the anti-colonial movement, continues to capture the hearts of fans. It's unclear if he will be able to support DR Congo in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but Amoura expressed hope for their success.