Author: Satwinder S. Rehal.

Sport, and football in particular, constitutes one of the most dynamic, sociologically illuminating domains of globalization. The Philippines has witnessed an upsurge of interest in the ‘beautiful game’, thanks in large part to the relative success and phenomenal popularity of the national men's soccer team, the Azkals. The effect of this phenomenon has placed the country on the global radar, in particular catching the attention of hopeful players. In spite of various risks, a number of African soccer players continue to find their way into the country in the hope of a career when such had not seemed possible at home or in Europe. This paper outlines one of the trends characteristic of the modern football industry – that of African football labour migration – its shift towards the Asian pivot and related challenges which are becoming defining features of soccer in the domestic top-tier league in the Philippines.