Young footballers from China and Kenya kicked off a series of friendly matches in Nairobi this week, using the game to build friendships and share skills across borders.
The Shaanxi Zhidan Under-11 youth football team played its first match in Africa against the NACHA Football Club Youth team, made up of players aged between eight and 11 from different parts of Kenya.
The match at a local primary school was closely contested, with both sides pushing each other throughout the game.
After the final whistle, the young players praised their opponents and reflected on the lessons they had picked up on the pitch.
"So good, because the boy he was striker, he was challenging me to score ,but anyway, at the end he scored the goal and become one," said a goalkeeper from NACHA Football Club.
The matches also offered an opportunity for the children to socialize and forge new friendships.
"For us we look at it as a great exposure, particularly to our kids, they've never had this kind of matches. With the partnership of this kind, we hope that even they will improve more," said Steve, head of NACHA Football Club.
Chinese, Kenyan youth footballers kick off friendly series in Nairobi
