Shou Xiaoyong, head of the technical team at the project, says that the tournament not only features competitions but also includes ethnic cultural activities by villagers, including martial arts performed by Chinese agricultural experts.

At the beginning of this year, Shou returned to China on vacation and learned about the popularity of the cunchao. "After returning to Benin, I introduced the cunchao and proposed creating a local cunchao, which received a warm response," he says, adding that since the game started it has brought a lot of happiness to the villagers.

The friendly match with the Liberian team marks the beginning of the friendship between African countries and Rongjiang, says Peng Xixi, head of the operation and management department of the Village Super League.

Barclay hopes to enhance friendship through the match and strengthen mutual exchange.

"There are many countries in Africa that love to play football. Through football events, Africa can better connect and unite with Rongjiang and China," he says, adding that he hopes more Liberian teams, including the national team, will be able to play in Rongjiang.

Meanwhile, the people of Parakou also look forward to taking part in the cunchao in China. Shou says that they hope their Village Super League expands outside Africa and that they'll be able to take their teams to compete at China's Village Super League stadium.

"Over the past decade, China has promoted cotton planting technology and helped train agricultural technicians in Benin," says Shou, adding that improved living conditions have given local people more recreational needs.