Maher Mezahi
@mahermezahi.bsky.social
All we need in life is a little African football. Covering sport on the continent for 10 years across different media outlets. Creator and host of the African Five-a-side podcast.
Pinned
Maher Mezahi
@mahermezahi.bsky.social
· Feb 17
Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri; racism in European football ⎸ AFR 2.27
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
youtu.be
🔔New episode🔔
- Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri at Olympique de Marseille
- Thoughts on four African internationals racially abused in European leagues
youtu.be/zPLw4LV7Kfo
- Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri at Olympique de Marseille
- Thoughts on four African internationals racially abused in European leagues
youtu.be/zPLw4LV7Kfo
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
FIFA’s ongoing failure to enforce sanctions against the Israeli Football Association (IFA) despite long-standing and irrefutable evidence that the IFA is in violation of FIFA Statutes is further evidence of the organisation’s ad hoc and selective enforcement of its rules. fairsq.org/fifa-continu...
FIFA continues to stall and misrepresent over Israel sanctions
FIFA’s ongoing failure to enforce sanctions against the Israeli Football Association (IFA) despite long-standing and irrefutable evidence that the IFA is in violation of FIFA Statutes is further evide...
fairsq.org
May 22, 2025 at 7:53 AM
FIFA’s ongoing failure to enforce sanctions against the Israeli Football Association (IFA) despite long-standing and irrefutable evidence that the IFA is in violation of FIFA Statutes is further evidence of the organisation’s ad hoc and selective enforcement of its rules. fairsq.org/fifa-continu...
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
AFCON doesn’t need European validation to be major—it already is. But the real danger lies in how dismissive narratives shape the value of African football and its players. @mahermezahi.bsky.social responds to the row over comments by @23carra.bsky.social africasacountry.com/2025/02/is-a...
Is AFCON a major tournament?
AFCON doesn’t need European validation to be major—it already is. But the real danger lies in how dismissive narratives shape the value of African football and its players.
africasacountry.com
February 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
AFCON doesn’t need European validation to be major—it already is. But the real danger lies in how dismissive narratives shape the value of African football and its players. @mahermezahi.bsky.social responds to the row over comments by @23carra.bsky.social africasacountry.com/2025/02/is-a...
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
Musk’s outrage over land reform in South Africa isn’t about fairness—it’s about fueling right-wing paranoia and preserving economic privilege.
africasacountry.com/2025/02/elon...
africasacountry.com/2025/02/elon...
Elon Musk’s South African fantasy
Musk’s outrage over land reform in South Africa isn’t about fairness—it’s about fueling right-wing paranoia and preserving economic privilege.
africasacountry.com
February 19, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Musk’s outrage over land reform in South Africa isn’t about fairness—it’s about fueling right-wing paranoia and preserving economic privilege.
africasacountry.com/2025/02/elon...
africasacountry.com/2025/02/elon...
🔔New episode🔔
- Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri at Olympique de Marseille
- Thoughts on four African internationals racially abused in European leagues
youtu.be/zPLw4LV7Kfo
- Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri at Olympique de Marseille
- Thoughts on four African internationals racially abused in European leagues
youtu.be/zPLw4LV7Kfo
Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri; racism in European football ⎸ AFR 2.27
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
youtu.be
February 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
🔔New episode🔔
- Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri at Olympique de Marseille
- Thoughts on four African internationals racially abused in European leagues
youtu.be/zPLw4LV7Kfo
- Reflections on interviewing Ismael Bennacer & Amine Gouiri at Olympique de Marseille
- Thoughts on four African internationals racially abused in European leagues
youtu.be/zPLw4LV7Kfo
Now that the winter transfer window has closed all across the African continent, we recapped some of its biggest moves and examined which clubs best re-tooled for the CAF Interclub competition knockout stages
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZc...
Which African players and clubs won the winter transfer window? ⎸ AFR 2.26
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
www.youtube.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Now that the winter transfer window has closed all across the African continent, we recapped some of its biggest moves and examined which clubs best re-tooled for the CAF Interclub competition knockout stages
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZc...
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
France and Algeria remain locked in a cycle of reconciliation and rupture as the wounds of colonization continue to shape their uneasy relationship. @mahermezahi.bsky.social explains recent happenings. africasacountry.com/2025/02/alge...
Algeria and France’s endless rift
France and Algeria remain locked in a cycle of reconciliation and rupture as the wounds of colonization continue to shape their uneasy relationship.
africasacountry.com
February 6, 2025 at 7:01 AM
France and Algeria remain locked in a cycle of reconciliation and rupture as the wounds of colonization continue to shape their uneasy relationship. @mahermezahi.bsky.social explains recent happenings. africasacountry.com/2025/02/alge...
The group stages of the CAF Champions League concluded over the weekend. Here are my thoughts on the matches that took place:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR8b...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR8b...
Pirates upset Ahly, MC Algiers and Sundowns draw and advance to CAF CL knockout stages ⎸ AFR 2.23
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The group stages of the CAF Champions League concluded over the weekend. Here are my thoughts on the matches that took place:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR8b...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR8b...
🔔NEW EPISODE🔔
There are two spots up for grabs for the 6th and final matchday of the CAF Champions League
- Young Africans host MC Algiers in a tense match with all on the line
- Orlando Pirates go to Cairo to cap off a perfect group stage vs Al Ahly
youtu.be/7cxjexcw1OM
There are two spots up for grabs for the 6th and final matchday of the CAF Champions League
- Young Africans host MC Algiers in a tense match with all on the line
- Orlando Pirates go to Cairo to cap off a perfect group stage vs Al Ahly
youtu.be/7cxjexcw1OM
Al Ahly, Pirates tussle for CAF CL supremacy; Yanga, MC Algiers for knockout stages ⎸ AFR 2.22
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
youtu.be
January 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
🔔NEW EPISODE🔔
There are two spots up for grabs for the 6th and final matchday of the CAF Champions League
- Young Africans host MC Algiers in a tense match with all on the line
- Orlando Pirates go to Cairo to cap off a perfect group stage vs Al Ahly
youtu.be/7cxjexcw1OM
There are two spots up for grabs for the 6th and final matchday of the CAF Champions League
- Young Africans host MC Algiers in a tense match with all on the line
- Orlando Pirates go to Cairo to cap off a perfect group stage vs Al Ahly
youtu.be/7cxjexcw1OM
🔔 New episode 🔔
CAF Champions League: Al Ahly streak snapped, Sundowns & Pirates need wins, Yanga in survival mode
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAz...
CAF Champions League: Al Ahly streak snapped, Sundowns & Pirates need wins, Yanga in survival mode
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAz...
CAF Champions League: Al Ahly streak snapped, Sundowns & Pirates need wins, Yanga in survival mode
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
www.youtube.com
January 4, 2025 at 8:23 AM
🔔 New episode 🔔
CAF Champions League: Al Ahly streak snapped, Sundowns & Pirates need wins, Yanga in survival mode
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAz...
CAF Champions League: Al Ahly streak snapped, Sundowns & Pirates need wins, Yanga in survival mode
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZAz...
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
"Walking under pomegranate & lemon trees in the streets of Old Damascus and peering into abandoned courtyards brought to life so many stories I’d heard from Syrians of what had been taken away from them in exile"
I wrote about my experiences in Damascus & Aleppo.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
I wrote about my experiences in Damascus & Aleppo.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
The end of fear in Syria
Al Jazeera’s Justin Salhani recounts his experiences in the first days after al-Assad.
www.aljazeera.com
December 30, 2024 at 2:39 PM
"Walking under pomegranate & lemon trees in the streets of Old Damascus and peering into abandoned courtyards brought to life so many stories I’d heard from Syrians of what had been taken away from them in exile"
I wrote about my experiences in Damascus & Aleppo.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
I wrote about my experiences in Damascus & Aleppo.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
On rebuilding Algeria’s oceans, @mahermezahi.bsky.social produced a short visual to accompany @zahrarahmouni.bsky.social's piece on artificial reefs in Algeria. Read the whole thing here: africasacountry.com/2024/12/rebu...
December 20, 2024 at 4:18 PM
On rebuilding Algeria’s oceans, @mahermezahi.bsky.social produced a short visual to accompany @zahrarahmouni.bsky.social's piece on artificial reefs in Algeria. Read the whole thing here: africasacountry.com/2024/12/rebu...
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
Fewest minutes per goal involvement among Serie A players since the start of last season (2000+ mins):
◉ 92.5 - Ademola Lookman
◎ 110.9 - Lautaro Martínez
◎ 114.8 - Paulo Dybala
◎ 115.5 - Marcus Thuram
◎ 117.4 - Charles De Ketelaere
The best player in Italy right now. 💯
◉ 92.5 - Ademola Lookman
◎ 110.9 - Lautaro Martínez
◎ 114.8 - Paulo Dybala
◎ 115.5 - Marcus Thuram
◎ 117.4 - Charles De Ketelaere
The best player in Italy right now. 💯
December 18, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Fewest minutes per goal involvement among Serie A players since the start of last season (2000+ mins):
◉ 92.5 - Ademola Lookman
◎ 110.9 - Lautaro Martínez
◎ 114.8 - Paulo Dybala
◎ 115.5 - Marcus Thuram
◎ 117.4 - Charles De Ketelaere
The best player in Italy right now. 💯
◉ 92.5 - Ademola Lookman
◎ 110.9 - Lautaro Martínez
◎ 114.8 - Paulo Dybala
◎ 115.5 - Marcus Thuram
◎ 117.4 - Charles De Ketelaere
The best player in Italy right now. 💯
🔔NEW EPISODE🔔
CAF Champions League matchday 3 recap:
🔸TP Mazembe and Yanga hold one other to draw
🔸Al Hilal shock MC Algiers in 🇩🇿
🔸Pirates held in check in 🇨🇮
🔸Esperance play best match yet vs Pyramids
🔸Cardoso passes first test with Sundowns
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3O...
CAF Champions League matchday 3 recap:
🔸TP Mazembe and Yanga hold one other to draw
🔸Al Hilal shock MC Algiers in 🇩🇿
🔸Pirates held in check in 🇨🇮
🔸Esperance play best match yet vs Pyramids
🔸Cardoso passes first test with Sundowns
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3O...
CAF CL recap: Esperance unstoppable, Sundowns pip past Raja, Pirates held in CIV... VAR?! ⎸ AFR 2.17
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2024 at 3:21 PM
🔔NEW EPISODE🔔
CAF Champions League matchday 3 recap:
🔸TP Mazembe and Yanga hold one other to draw
🔸Al Hilal shock MC Algiers in 🇩🇿
🔸Pirates held in check in 🇨🇮
🔸Esperance play best match yet vs Pyramids
🔸Cardoso passes first test with Sundowns
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3O...
CAF Champions League matchday 3 recap:
🔸TP Mazembe and Yanga hold one other to draw
🔸Al Hilal shock MC Algiers in 🇩🇿
🔸Pirates held in check in 🇨🇮
🔸Esperance play best match yet vs Pyramids
🔸Cardoso passes first test with Sundowns
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3O...
Matchday 2 of the CAF Champions League was a bit of a snooze fest. On this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, we try to find reasons why and also review 7/8 matches that took place over the weekend
youtu.be/pJ1A7WpPIbA
youtu.be/pJ1A7WpPIbA
5 draws and many tight matches in matchday 2 of the CAF CL ⎸ AFR 2.16
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
youtu.be
December 9, 2024 at 12:51 PM
Matchday 2 of the CAF Champions League was a bit of a snooze fest. On this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, we try to find reasons why and also review 7/8 matches that took place over the weekend
youtu.be/pJ1A7WpPIbA
youtu.be/pJ1A7WpPIbA
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
Our post from @mahermezahi.bsky.social on the Egyptian football ultra group Al Ahly, and their activities after being banned during the revolution, now has an accompanying video! Check it below, and the original post here: africasacountry.com/2024/05/taki... youtu.be/8rM8_n0Xjqw
Taking a Stand: Al Ahly football ultras in Tunisia
YouTube video by Africa Is a Country
youtu.be
December 2, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Our post from @mahermezahi.bsky.social on the Egyptian football ultra group Al Ahly, and their activities after being banned during the revolution, now has an accompanying video! Check it below, and the original post here: africasacountry.com/2024/05/taki... youtu.be/8rM8_n0Xjqw
Last May, we went to the CAF Champions League final to learn more about how Al Ahly ultras are finding a home away from home since being banned from Cairo International Stadium
Full video, for @africasacountry.bsky.social : youtu.be/8rM8_n0Xjqw?...
Full video, for @africasacountry.bsky.social : youtu.be/8rM8_n0Xjqw?...
Taking a Stand: Al Ahly football ultras in Tunisia
YouTube video by Africa Is a Country
youtu.be
December 2, 2024 at 5:08 PM
Last May, we went to the CAF Champions League final to learn more about how Al Ahly ultras are finding a home away from home since being banned from Cairo International Stadium
Full video, for @africasacountry.bsky.social : youtu.be/8rM8_n0Xjqw?...
Full video, for @africasacountry.bsky.social : youtu.be/8rM8_n0Xjqw?...
The main observation from yesterday's matches is: There's a good crop of young African talent shining in CAF Champions League
Ibrahim Adel, Adama Coulibaly, Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oscar Kabwit, Issa Fofana, Koussay Maacha all impressed in their respective matches
youtu.be/VQ2mU7HzjsI
Ibrahim Adel, Adama Coulibaly, Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oscar Kabwit, Issa Fofana, Koussay Maacha all impressed in their respective matches
youtu.be/VQ2mU7HzjsI
REACTION: Top young African talent shines in Matchday 1 of CAF Champions League ⎸ AFR 2.14
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2024 at 2:39 PM
The main observation from yesterday's matches is: There's a good crop of young African talent shining in CAF Champions League
Ibrahim Adel, Adama Coulibaly, Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oscar Kabwit, Issa Fofana, Koussay Maacha all impressed in their respective matches
youtu.be/VQ2mU7HzjsI
Ibrahim Adel, Adama Coulibaly, Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oscar Kabwit, Issa Fofana, Koussay Maacha all impressed in their respective matches
youtu.be/VQ2mU7HzjsI
CAF Champions League begins today
Was expecting a more raucous crowd in Lubumbashi to support TP Mazembe versus MC Algiers, but it is a 14h kick off on a Tuesday afternoon
Mazembe were stripped of top players and look sluggish, MCA looking to impress in their return to the CL which they won in ‘76
Was expecting a more raucous crowd in Lubumbashi to support TP Mazembe versus MC Algiers, but it is a 14h kick off on a Tuesday afternoon
Mazembe were stripped of top players and look sluggish, MCA looking to impress in their return to the CL which they won in ‘76
November 26, 2024 at 1:15 PM
CAF Champions League begins today
Was expecting a more raucous crowd in Lubumbashi to support TP Mazembe versus MC Algiers, but it is a 14h kick off on a Tuesday afternoon
Mazembe were stripped of top players and look sluggish, MCA looking to impress in their return to the CL which they won in ‘76
Was expecting a more raucous crowd in Lubumbashi to support TP Mazembe versus MC Algiers, but it is a 14h kick off on a Tuesday afternoon
Mazembe were stripped of top players and look sluggish, MCA looking to impress in their return to the CL which they won in ‘76
Previewing matchday 1 of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League group stages, which kicks off tomorrow
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyyx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyyx...
2024/2025 CAF Champions League preview: Matchday 1
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2024 at 2:28 PM
Previewing matchday 1 of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League group stages, which kicks off tomorrow
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyyx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyyx...
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
Partey, Kudus, Semenyo, Fatawu, Lamptey, Williams, Ayew… yet Ghana won’t be at the Cup of Nations.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
No organisation, leadership or direction: Ghana are wasting a generation of talent | Jonathan Wilson
They should be one of the favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations, instead Ghana are counting the cost of another chaotic failure
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2024 at 8:41 AM
Partey, Kudus, Semenyo, Fatawu, Lamptey, Williams, Ayew… yet Ghana won’t be at the Cup of Nations.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
5/24 slots for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be determined tomorrow and Tuesday:
Mozambique and Guinea just need to avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in straight head-to-head matches
Easier said than done, however, as both matches are to be played away from home for the leaders
Mozambique and Guinea just need to avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in straight head-to-head matches
Easier said than done, however, as both matches are to be played away from home for the leaders
November 17, 2024 at 11:45 AM
5/24 slots for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be determined tomorrow and Tuesday:
Mozambique and Guinea just need to avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in straight head-to-head matches
Easier said than done, however, as both matches are to be played away from home for the leaders
Mozambique and Guinea just need to avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in straight head-to-head matches
Easier said than done, however, as both matches are to be played away from home for the leaders
Reposted by Maher Mezahi
Here’s some film breakdown on some of what I saw during match day 5 of the 2025 Afcon qualifiers
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...
FILM STUDY: Nigeria defend poorly vs Benin, Sudan collapse vs Niger + more observations ⎸ AFR 2.11
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
youtu.be
November 16, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Here’s some film breakdown on some of what I saw during match day 5 of the 2025 Afcon qualifiers
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...
Here’s some film breakdown on some of what I saw during match day 5 of the 2025 Afcon qualifiers
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...
FILM STUDY: Nigeria defend poorly vs Benin, Sudan collapse vs Niger + more observations ⎸ AFR 2.11
YouTube video by African Five-a-side podcast
youtu.be
November 16, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Here’s some film breakdown on some of what I saw during match day 5 of the 2025 Afcon qualifiers
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...
youtu.be/KbiLgGrX6nw?...