NGOZI, Burundi, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza on Saturday competed with Chinese community in Burundi in a football match held in Ngozi Province, northern Burundi.
Nkurunziza's team, consisted of the president and retired professional football players, won the match held in a football academy, where Chinese and Burudian audience jointly watched the game.
Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Li Changlin, other Chinese diplomats, staff of Chinese enterprises and institutions as well as overseas Chinese in Burundi participated in the 90-minute match.
Nkurunziza played the whole game in spite of the rain.
After the match, the Chinese envoy gave Nkurunziza a jersey with the president's name. He also handed over sports goods to Nkurunziza.
The match is like a party with Burundian people, said a Chinese player and Chinese language teacher Tian Feng.
"In the match we were close to the Burundian president and challenged for the ball with him," said Tian. "It makes me feel that the president is very close to Chinese. Burundi and China have very close relationship," he added.
"I can feel the friendship between China and Burundi from the match," said Li Shengxi, head of a Chinese assistance program in Burundi. "Burundian people are very friendly to Chinese people, because they have seen tangible support provided by China," Li said.
