Anchor:

Africa maybe a big continent, with many countries speaking different languages, but according to one African football team, "In Beijing, all of Africa is reunited in a football team."

And in China, African football boots can be found on the Chinese football pitch. Nillah Nyakoa brings us this report on the Afrika United Football Club based here in Beijing.

 

Reporter:

Founded 15 years ago, the Afrika United FC has been building its name around China by promoting different African cultures and showcasing what the continent can offer in terms of sport.

The team might not consist of professional players, but it's something to talk about, being part of the fast-growing African community in China.

When the team was first formed, it was divided into two groups before merging into a single team in 2000. Adam Labaran is the team's captain.

"At that time it was actually two teams. The Congolese, which was for the French-speaking Africans, and the English-speaking Africans. But due to some financial difficulties, they decided to come together - merge together - in the year 2000."

The team, one of the best among its peers, participates in China's IFFC, the International Friendship Football Club league, established in 1994.

And now, for the team that is dominating a league with several wins, only the sky is the limit.

"It's quite a big league - it has about 32 teams and basically 800 members from different countries. So we have won about seven champions league, and a super cup, and cup titles, and then about five super cups again, and we still doing our best.

Although the team is basically an African team, they have not completely shuttered dreams of other nationals who might want to join their side. The team has included a few Chinese, Canadian and Brazilian nationals amongst other players who want to join the African side.

Like any other team, the AUFC has its challenges, especially when it comes to practice.

How do you schedule practice time, especially when you are getting close to playing a match?....(Adam) Am glad you said that, this is actually the big problem we have right now. For you to play football here in China, especially in Beijing, you have to actually pay for the pitch. And we have been struggling financially, so we don't really practice together, but individually we get our time and then maybe practice two, three players at a time in different places; but we don't really have the money to bring everyone together and train together as a team, but we play together as a team."

And according to Adam, the team has achieved its aim, but that has triggered even bigger dreams for the club.

"The aim is to have fun, have a good relationship with each other; if possible we would like to move up, go up the ladder to maybe join the Chinese league."

According to Jeremy Goldkorn, director of the documentary "African Boots Beijing," a documentary about the Afrika United FC, "Europe may be assured of a World Cup win on home turf, but a few thousand kilometers away in the Chinese mainland, it's the Africans who are the undisputed champions of international football."

And despite the challenges, the captain says, the team so far loves this season' results.

"How good has this season been to you- the 2009/2010 season?....(Adam) So far its been really, really good. (are you on top of the table?) We are second. We are two points behind the Beijing-based team called Forbidden City. But I have a good feeling that we are going to catch up and possibly win. (is that the team to beat?) I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I think we are the best team in the league now."

And playing the likes of the English, Italian and French sides, this team is here to stay and will continue to showcase its out-of-office talent.

For China Now, I'm Nillah Nyakoa.