“Before it, there were two other African teams in Beijing, Afrika FC and Timbuktu”, recalls the Ethiopian Samuel Ahadu, Afrika United’s current manager who, before settling in China, was a taxi driver in LA. Back then, in 1996, the Africans of the middle kingdom were divided to Francophones and Anglophones, and did not get along. Later, the financial situation of the two clubs imposed a “reunion” to form a single team: Afrika United. Once again, sport has proved its power to transcend differences, and the rapprochement dictated by the circumstances has again verified the old adage that unity is power.

At five years of age, the team has three times won the championship, and twice the cup. Further than its victories, one of the greatest achievements of Afrika United’s players is being accepted by the Chinese. The team members who, outside of football, pursue academic studies in Beijing, remember that Africans were not always well accepted by the local population. Some of them still have in mind the anti-African demonstrations of 1988-1989 in Nankin.

“Since these difficult times, things have changed, even if we are still, from time to time, subject to unfavorable treatment”, recalls Samuel Ahadu. “The matches we have played against Chinese teams allowed us to foster the rapprochement between our different cultures”. Jeremy Goldkorn, a South African expatriate who has followed the team for a few years, confirms that mentalities have changed. “I’ve been observing Chinese attitudes towards Africans for years, and it is evident that things are not how they used to be. In the 1980’s, the Chinese population was not accustomed to seeing strangers. The stereotypes traveled fast, and people of color were evidently on the front line. Today, it’s different. Foreigners are everywhere and it is not too difficult for Africans to live in China.”

The successful marriage between Congolese Jose Tumba and his Chinese wife Tracy Chen is an illustration to Goldkorn's point. The two managed to overcome all the obstacles and were accepted by their respective families. “The official Chinese policy is to encourage friendly relations with Africa. China is the only world power that takes the African continent seriously. This has an effect on the population”, continues Goldkorn. From his side, Afrika United’s manger adds that the game has greatly facilitated his players' integration.

Some of the players hope to sign a professional contract with teams from the national league. “For a few years now, the African players made way in the local professional leagues, but none of these players stemmed from Afrika United. On the other hand, several of our old teammates scored contracts in Singapore or Vietnam”, explains Samuel Ahadu. He says his players have the skills necessary to satisfy local teams. This is why he encourages those interested to go to Kunnming, capital of the southern province of Yunnan, to participate in trial practices in front of recruiters who are looking for rare pearls.

Arfika United’s front striker, Steven-Mark Nwamkpa, who has already played as a pro in Cyprus and Georgia, decided to give it a try. Fine techinicians, the African players have also the physique to impress. China, only recently opened to professional football, is still in the early stages of the learning curve. Numerous clubs call for foreign players to guide their local recruits. The rapid development of the Chinese economy also spurs young players such as Afrika’s to try their luck in China, with hope of financial rewards.

But, it is not easy. Samuel Ahadu’s team, despite its successive achievements, still finds it hard to make ends meet. As the majority of the team’s players are students, they have not the necessary financial means to support the team. To allow the club to break out, Samuel and Jeremy thought of filming a documentary telling the team’s story. Titled Afrikan Boots of Beijing, the film premiered in in July (2005), and has raised funds that allow the club to continue to dominate the fields of the Chinese capital. “Afrika united remains a flourishing team, that intends to defend its title(s) for a long time, even if not all its problems are solved”, Samuel concludes. Certainly, Samuel would not object if an American billionaire would have the good sense to invest in his team. Afrika United is not Manchester United. If Malcolm Glazer, who recently bought Manchester, could find interest in Afrika United, no doubt that he will be warmly welcomed, unlike the frosty reception he received in England.

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Ttranslated (roughly) from French by Dror Poleg. Check out the original article on the Courrier Internationale web site.