EMERGE has been hearing murmurs of a photographic exploration of soccer in Africa for several months now, but nothing prepared us for the gorgeous book The African Game put together by Puma, NYC cultural production company Us/Them and published by PowerHouse Books.

Shot by acclaimed fashion photographer and video director Andrew Dosunmu, himself a Nigerian, with essays by acclaimed journalist Knox Robinson (and laid-out by EMERGE designer Staple), the text explores the topography of contemporary life in Cameroon Senegal, Togo, Cote D'Ivoire, Angloa, Ghana, Tunisia and Egypt through the lens of soccer. Puma's fit into this equation is their sponsorship of several African national teams, as well as local and youth leagues throughout the continent. Seeking to document and explore the complex role sports play in society, Puma has funded The African Game to help publicize Africa's entry into this year's World Cup tournament (including several teams sponsored by Puma) as well as the sport's place in African popular culture.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Grassroots Soccer, an anti HIV/AIDS organization.

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