I’ve been struggling to keep quiet about this for quite some time now, as the excitement has been too much. After months of travel around Africa, resulting in an archive of thousands of never-seen-before photographs, one of South Africa’s top photographers and my friend, Andrew Verster-Cohen (VC), has finally released his African football book, entitled African Goal.

VC is hosting an exhibition of prints taken from African Goal, as well as combining the evening as the official launch of the actual book. The most anticipated football-themed book for 2010, is now available to you.

African Goal, is a photographic showcase and celebration of Football on the continent. Its tactical launch co-incides with the first ever football world cup on African soil. The book shows the cross section and close link between Africa’s super star footballers and the fans. It also illustrates the sheer joy and hope football brings to Africa’s children in very poor and rural communities. Countries include South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

The Authors : Andrew Verster Cohen, a photographer and producer by trade who has been in the photo industry in Europe and South Africa for the past 10 years.

Frederic Benistant is a creative director on Woolworths at Agency, Jupiter Drawing Room, Cape Town.

I have had the privilege of seeing the book (will be getting my own copy tomorrow night at the launch!) and I can tell you right now that this book takes you to places you have never been before and shows you African football that is not commonplace in the 1st world. It is, without doubt, the ultimate coffee-table book for every home. And what a perfect gift for foreigners looking for something authentic and away from the mainstream clutter.

Check out this incredible promotional video, to give you a small taste of what you’re in for.

Exhibits will be on sale

Second floor overlooking the courtyard

Drinks and snacks to be served.

Where: Waterkant Street, Cape quarter building.

Date: Thursday 22nd april.

Time: From 5.30pm till late.

Oh, one more thing. VC is giving away one signed copy of the book during the course of the evening. If you want to win the competition, all you have to do is walk up to me at the event between 18h30 and 19h30 and whisper in my ear, “how about me and you go outside and score our own goal..’

See you there 😉