More information

Do you want to know more about football in Africa? In recent years a lot of material has been published about African soccer, in particular by the World Championships in South Africa. Below is some recommended reading.

Politics, power and money
Arnold Pannenborg is an anthropologist and conducts doctoral research into the role of politics, power and money in African football. He has spent much time in Ghana and Cameroon for this research. Listed below are some of his works:
• Pannenborg, A. (2008). How to Win a Football Match in Cameroon. Leiden: African Studies Centre. Order here 
• Pannenborg, A. (2010). Football in Africa. Observations about political, financial, cultural and religious influences. Amsterdam: NCDO.  Download
 
Migration
Various scientists conducted research into soccer migration from Africa. Below is a sampling of related publications:
• Berlinschi, R., J. Schokkaert & J. Swinnen (2010). When Drains and Gains Coincide: Migration and International Football Performance. LICOS Discussion Paper Series, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
• Darby, P., G. Akindes & M. Kirwin (2007). Football Academies and the Migration of African Football Labor to Europe. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 31.
• Darby, P. (2010). ‘Go outside’: The History, Economics and Georgraphy of Ghanaian Football Labour Migration. African Historical Review, 42: 1, 19-41.
• Taylor, M. (2006). Global Players? Football, Migration and Globalization c. 1930-2000. Historical Social Research, 31: 1, 7-30.
 
Human trafficking
Trading players is big business nowadays, business in which officials from all levels of Ghanaian soccer are involved. The big field beckons outside of Africa as well. This makes players vulnerable to human trafficking.
• McDougall, M. (2008). The scandal of Africa’s trafficked players. The Observer. 6 January.
• Scherrens, J. (2007). The Muscle Drain of African Football Players to Europe: Trade or Trafficking? MA-thesis European Master in Human Rights and Democratisation. Karl-Franzens University of Graz.
 
Corruption
One of the main reasons why African soccer is not getting off the ground very well is corruption. The following publications provide good examples of this:
• Munro, B. (2005). Greed vs. Good Governance: the fight for corruption-free football in Kenya. Paper presented at the 4th World Communication Conference on Sport and Society, November 6-10, Copenhangen, Denmark. Download
• Rukuni, C. & E. Groenink (eds.) (2010). Killing Soccer in Africa. FAIR Transnational Investigation.  Download
 
Websites
www.roadto2010.com

Twenty Ten: African Media on the Road to 2010 (and beyond) is an initiative of World Press Photo, Free Voice, Africa Media Online and lokaalmondiaal, dedicated to reporting on African football, related issues and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa from an African perspective. The project involves African journalists representing 34 nationalities who create written articles, photographs, broadcasts and multimedia productions.
 
www.toolkitsportdevelopment.org
The Toolkit Sport for Development offers tools and learning examples for sport and development projects. The toolkit is produced by and for NGOs, sports clubs and governments.
 
www.footsolidaire.org
French organization Culture Foot Solidaire, which protects young footballers against trafficking and exploitation.
 
www.sokaafrika.com
Soka Afrika is a feature length docu-film celebrating African football in the run up to World Cup 2010. Following the very different paths of two aspiring young African players from South Africa and Cameroon, the film explores the power of football to influence Africa for better or worse.
 
www.blackdiamond-lefilm.com
French documentary Black Diamond about the trafficking of African soccer players.