Burundi, 29 June, 2025 – The Cong Viettel, fielding a squad composed largely of young players, suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat to reigning Burundi champions Aigle Noir in a high-profile international friendly match held at Makamba Peace Park Stadium.
The game drew massive interest from local fans. Despite the match being scheduled in the evening, thousands of spectators arrived at the stadium hours in advance, with many walking due to limited transportation infrastructure. The stadium, with a capacity of over 30,000 seats, was nearly full, generating a vibrant and electric atmosphere for the encounter.
Facing a physically dominant and technically superior Aigle Noir side, The Cong Viettel struggled to gain control, especially with their young and relatively inexperienced lineup. Backed by a passionate home crowd, the hosts maintained the majority of possession and applied constant pressure throughout the match.
The second half proved decisive as Aigle Noir unleashed a flurry of attacks that resulted in all three goals. Early in the half, the home side broke the deadlock with a powerful finish. In the 64th minute, they doubled the lead through a simple combination play that exposed Viettel’s defensive lapse, ending with an uncontested header into the net. The third and final goal came late in the game when a long-range shot deflected off a Viettel defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and finding the back of the net.
Despite the loss, The Cong Viettel were awarded 40 million Burundian francs (approximately 355 million VND) under the tournament’s regulations. Aigle Noir, as winners, received 50 million francs (around 443 million VND).
The match served as a valuable learning experience for the Vietnamese side, who now turn their attention to their next fixture against the Burundi U23 national team, scheduled for June 29 at Gitega Stadium. The tour continues to offer crucial international exposure for the club’s younger generation as they prepare for future domestic and regional competitions.
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