EXTRA: Two officials jailed for ‘rough tackles’ on Burundi president in football match

Two officials have been reportedly imprisoned after President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi was “roughed up” in a football match.

Nkurunziza played in the game organised between his personal football team, Haleluya FC and a team from Kiremba, a city in southern Burundi.

The opposing side is said to be normally aware of playing against the country’s president, and therefore avoid tackling him, and perhaps allow Nkurunziza to score.

Cyriaque Nkezabahizi, administrator of the Kirema team, and Michel Mutama, his deputy, were said to have recruited some Congolese refugees to join the team.

The Congolese refugees, unaware they were playing against Nkurunziza, reportedly “attacked each time he had the ball and made him fall several times”.

Nkezabahizi and Mutama, were consequently charged with “conspiracy against the president”.

Nkurunziza, 54, is said to travel around with his football team and his choir, Komeza gusenga, which means “pray non-stop” in the local Kirundi language.

He is also said to practice swimming and cycling. He plays up to three football matches in a week.

Photo credit: Reuters