Sarfo Emmanuel Annor is the Grand Jury Prize winner of the OFFSIDE | HORS-JEU Pan-African photography prize and exhibition. And as a proud collaborative partner, NATAAL now presents ‘The Presence Remains’ – shot in Benin by the Ghanaian artist as part of the prize.

OFFSIDE is the brainchild of photographer, curator and producer Malaurie Accrombessi and consultant Lena Boukili, who were inspired by the spirit of last year’s Africa Cup of Nations to launch an open-call inviting photographers across the continent and its diaspora to submit work examining the cultural life of the football jersey. From the flood of entries received, it’s clear that this ubiquitous item of clothing signifies far more than sporting allegiance. National winners from 13 countries went on to be selected by 54Ruun, the Diaspora Prize was curated by gallerist Marie Gomis-Trezise – who selected Algeria’s Amir Belkhir – and NATAAL chose Annor for the Grand Jury Prize. All finalists now form part of a travelling exhibition that debuts at the inaugural Cotonou Art Week (13-19 November 2026) and moves onto the Dakar Biennale (19 November – 19 December) for the rest of the year.

“Through the perspectives of a new generation of image-makers, the jersey becomes more than sportswear. It is a marker of pride, a vessel of personal and collective memory, and a visual language that travels across generations and borders,” say Accrombessi and Boukili. “OFFSIDE brings these images and stories together as an evolving photographic archive of the many ways African football is lived, worn and imagined.”

Annor’s winning entry pictures a young woman standing on a plinth in a stylised football kit and holding a trophy, her dark skin glowing against a deep blue background. She exudes calm and strength and the fact her jersey is Nigeria (Ghana was not in AFCON 2025) expresses a West African fraternity. “I am very passionate about football and often feature vintage jerseys in my work,” he says of his natural attraction to OFFSIDE. The work also speaks to his wider practice and distinct visual language defined by silhouetting his subjects, most often women and children, against bold, resonant hues. “I use colours to uplift. Colour is like therapy for me – and I hope for others too. The main focus of my work is to tell African stories through colour, fashion and beauty.”

The Koforidua-born, self-taught artist started out shooting his niece on his phone. Today he’s been a recipient of the Vogue Photo Vogue Festival Grant, featured in The Guardian and i-D, and enjoyed a solo show with Bridge Art Gallery in Paris. But he’d never shot outside of Ghana – until now. Keen to broaden his celebration of the diversity of African cultures, he seized the chance to create a NATAAL editorial as part of his prize as an opportunity to explore Benin – a country little seen in a fashion context.

The idea for ‘The Presence Remains’ takes shape around four inter-generational women. In the story they represent the women who have shaped Annor’s life, from his single mother “who raised me with so much love and compassion” to his wider matriarchal support system. Rather than playing defined roles though, these characters are instead presented as a unified force exuding protection, wisdom and possibility. Wearing grand looks by local designers, they move as one with regal grace.

Their journey takes them to many significant landmarks in southern Benin. We encounter them in the ingenious water communities of Ganvié and the historic centre of Porto-Novo where colour and craft come alive. They bring a contemporary energy to the traditional homes of the Kingdom of Dahomey, where their confidence honours its rich history of strong women. And finally, they land at the Place de l’Amazone, Benin’s latest monument to female power.

“More than a fashion editorial, this story is an invitation to look at Benin differently,” the team reflect. “The artist moves. The landscape changes. And yet the women remain.”

OFFSIDE exhibition COTONOU, BENIN: 13-19 November 2026 at Marche Ganhi during Cotonou Art Week.

OFFSIDE exhibition DAKAR, SENEGAL: 19 November – 19 December 2026 at the National Grand Théâtre, as part of the OFF programme of the Dakar Biennale.