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“You got time! Bravo!” coach Raffaele Damiolini can be heard shouting to 21-year-old Seikou Sanneh. The voice echoes over the football field near the 16th-century church in Capo di Ponte. With precision, Sanneh passes the ball towards the midfielder of his team, Kairò Afrika. 

Kairò Afrika takes part in the Valle Camonica football tournament. Six African refugees and a tutor try to defend their honour against local teams. Although there’s an obvious presence of technical and athletic talent, their lack of training shows. This time, Kairò Afrika loses, but it doesn't matter to Sanneh. “I love football,” he smiles – something he rarely does.

Born in Libya to Gambian parents, Sanneh fled his native country a year ago. “The Libyan army entered my school, captured all black students and brought us to a camp,” he says during a woodworking workshop that he takes.

“I don't know where my parents are,” he adds, “I haven't heard from them since.”