In some parts of rural Africa, handmade balls like this one are often made from old rice bags and tied together with fresh tree bark. Condoms are often used too -- they have a life span of three days when inflated to make a football. This picture was taken outside Pipeline FC, Nhambonda, Mozambique.<br /> <br />
My ball —
In some parts of rural Africa, handmade balls like this one are often made from old rice bags and tied together with fresh tree bark. Condoms are often used too -- they have a life span of three days when inflated to make a football. This picture was taken outside Pipeline FC, Nhambonda, Mozambique.
Jessica Hilltout
A makeshift goal is set up in Jamestown, Accra, Ghana. Photographer Jessica Hilltout captured several such scenes during her trip around Africa.
Bollards for goalposts —
A makeshift goal is set up in Jamestown, Accra, Ghana. Photographer Jessica Hilltout captured several such scenes during her trip around Africa.
Jessica Hilltout
Footballs are made from anything from clothes to old bags. Often their lifespan is short despite being handled as precious possessions.
Different ball game —
Footballs are made from anything from clothes to old bags. Often their lifespan is short despite being handled as precious possessions.
Jessica Hilltout
In Nhambonda, Mozambique, this boy had no ball to pose with for the photo so he created an invisible one.
Make believe —
In Nhambonda, Mozambique, this boy had no ball to pose with for the photo so he created an invisible one.
Jessia Hilltout
Soale proudly holds the only ball in the village of Kpenjipei, Ghana. This ball was stitched up numerous times and had to be re-inflated during matches. Hilltout said: "This ball was hanging onto life for the sake of a whole village. It almost started to have human qualities."
Grasping hope —
Soale proudly holds the only ball in the village of Kpenjipei, Ghana. This ball was stitched up numerous times and had to be re-inflated during matches. Hilltout said: "This ball was hanging onto life for the sake of a whole village. It almost started to have human qualities."
Jessica Hilltout
A player wears a hand-stitched Vento Inha FC shirt, in Pacasse, Mozambique, with the name of former Brazil international Ronaldinho emblazoned across the back.
Handiwork —
A player wears a hand-stitched Vento Inha FC shirt, in Pacasse, Mozambique, with the name of former Brazil international Ronaldinho emblazoned across the back.
Jessica Hilltout
In Pacasse, Mozambique, the football players have to contend with pitch invaders.
Field of dreams? —
In Pacasse, Mozambique, the football players have to contend with pitch invaders.
Jessica Hilltout
"Am I kicked, beaten, used, crushed and trampled? Or am I strong, resilient, determined, unbeaten, proud?<br />"I am both. I am proof that with so little we can do so much. I am proof that simple pleasures are enduring.<br />"I am a ball. I am an African ball."
The tired ball —
"Am I kicked, beaten, used, crushed and trampled? Or am I strong, resilient, determined, unbeaten, proud?
"I am both. I am proof that with so little we can do so much. I am proof that simple pleasures are enduring.
"I am a ball. I am an African ball."
Jessica Hilltout
This trophy was won by Etoile Brillante d'Eburnie, a team in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Hilltout said: "I think this must be one of the most beautiful football trophies I have ever seen."
Cup holders —
This trophy was won by Etoile Brillante d'Eburnie, a team in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Hilltout said: "I think this must be one of the most beautiful football trophies I have ever seen."
Jessica Hilltout
Chicome's team has no name. It sometimes plays matches against neighboring villages. They leave for three days -- traveling 25 kilometers on foot each day to get to the match before walking back again.
Team with no name —
Chicome's team has no name. It sometimes plays matches against neighboring villages. They leave for three days -- traveling 25 kilometers on foot each day to get to the match before walking back again.
Jessica Hilltout