African Five-a-side

Learning about the African continent through the prism of its favorite pastime: football. Hosted by Maher Mezahi and backed by Africa Is a Country with funding from the Open Society Foundation.

2026 World Cup qualifiers (CAF) recap: Cape Verde stun Cameroon, South Africa handle Nigeria, Senegal stage epic comeback vs DR Congo

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps Matchday 8 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the African zone. This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comREAD: Colonize then, deport now https://africasacountry.com/2025/09/colonize-then-deport-nowFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

09-10
46:20

RECAP (FIFA WCQ - CAF): Morocco score '26 World Cup berth; South Africa, Senegal, Egypt win big

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps Matchday 7 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the African zone. Morocco became the first team to qualify for the World Cup and Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt positioned themselves to qualify over the next 48-72 hours.This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comOrder our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

09-06
58:16

Morocco 3-2 Madagascar: Atlas Lions are 2024 CHAN champions

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the 2024 CHAN final as Morocco defeated Madagascar 3-2 and became the first African nation to win 3 African nations championships. This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comOrder our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

08-30
05:28

2024 CHAN: East Africans exit CHAN pamoja in quarterfinals

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the 2024 CHAN quarterfinals which saw the exit of all three East African hosts and Algeria. Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal and Sudan advanced the semi-finalsThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comOrder our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

08-24
28:12

MAILBAG: 2024 CHAN, 2025 AFCON, Mokwena at MCA, Ouaddou at Pirates, young talent to watch this year

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi hosts a mailbag episode where we answer your questions, including: Why don't we show CHAN more respect? Which teams and players are we most looking forward to watching this year? Will Mokwena's legacy take a hit if he doesn't succeed at MCA?This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comOrder our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

08-19
25:33

Previewing the 2024 African Nations Championship CHAN in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN)This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comEnemies of progress: https://africasacountry.com/2025/07/enemies-of-progressOrder our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

08-01
38:57

Nigeria Super Falcons and Morocco Atlas Lionesses advance to 2024 Wafcon

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the semi-finals of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of NationsThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comThe specter of Bandung https://africasacountry.com/2025/07/the-specter-of-bandungWhose game is remembered? https://africasacountry.com/2025/07/whose-game-is-rememberedThe quiet violence of peace deals https://africasacountry.com/2025/07/the-quiet-violence-of-peace-dealsOrder our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

07-23
22:13

African football's greatest matches: Algeria vs Egypt "Battle of Omdurman" (Matchday 2, Episode 1)

Welcome to Matchday 2, Episode 1 of the African Five-a-side podcast. Over the course of the next five epsidoes we'll be profiling five of the greatest matches in African football history. First up is The Battle of Omdurman which took place on November 18, 2009 between Algeria and Egypt. We delve into why this rivalry is so heated and what lead to a football match nearly scuppering diplomatic relations between the two North African countries.The African Five-a-side podcast is supported by Africa Is A Country www.africasacountry.com Order our "Revelution Deferred" our physical edition here: https://africasacountry.com/store/product/revolution-deferredFollow Africa Is a Country and the African Five-a-side podcast on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveasidehttps://x.com/africasacountryhttps://www.instagram.com/africasacountry/

07-17
19:31

What does the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup mean to Africa?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comCome join us in Nairobi for the '25 AIAC fest: https://africasacountry.com/festivalFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

06-13
25:17

Pyramids FC stun Mamelodi Sundowns in first leg of CAF Champions League final ⎸ AFR 2.43

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the first leg of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League final. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comThe other route to the American dream https://africasacountry.com/2025/05/the-other-route-to-the-american-dreamFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

05-24
30:51

RS Berkane take convincing lead versus Simba in CAF Confederation Cup final ⎸ AFR 2.41

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi reviews the first leg of the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup final. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comGreen hydrogen, old colonialism: https://africasacountry.com/2025/05/green-hydrogen-old-colonialismFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

05-19
22:58

CAF Confederation Cup final preview: RS Berkane vs Simba SC (1st leg) ⎸ AFR 2.40

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews the first leg of the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup final. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comPaul Biya the last Kaiser https://africasacountry.com/2025/05/paul-biya-the-last-kaiserFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

05-15
36:01

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro to sign at Al Ahly: Good or bad idea? ⎸ REACTION

This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comPaul Biya the last Kaiser https://africasacountry.com/2025/05/paul-biya-the-last-kaiserFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

05-12
18:22

Sundows, Al Ahly, Pirates and Pyramids play goalless draws in CAF Champions League semis ⎸ AFR 2.36

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the first leg of the semi-finals of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comAfter the uprising https://africasacountry.com/2025/04/after-the-uprisingFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

04-20
42:45

Sundowns v Al Ahly; Pirates v Pyramids - Egypt v South Africa in Champions League semis ⎸ AFR 2.35

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews the Egypt vs South Africa semi-finals of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comTariffs, Trump, and the Global Southhttps://africasacountry.com/2025/04/tariffs-trump-and-the-global-southFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

04-17
40:11

Pirates hold MC Algiers and secure their spot for the CAF Champions League semi-final ⎸ AFR 2.34

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the last match of the quarterfinals of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comRedefining Sahelian diplomacyhttps://africasacountry.com/2025/03/redefining-sahelian-diplomacyFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

04-11
20:41

Sundowns, Pyramids hold on in hostile crowds; Ahly defeats Al Hilal to qualify to semis ⎸ AFR 2.33

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps 3/4 matches of the second leg of the quarterfinals of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comRedefining Sahelian diplomacyhttps://africasacountry.com/2025/03/redefining-sahelian-diplomacyFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

04-09
36:14

Orlando Pirates “last dance”? Sundowns, Esperance to tussle in 2025 CAF Champions League quarterfinals ⎸ AFR 2.32

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews the second leg of the quarterfinals of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League. -------------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comLiberal internationalism after USAIDhttps://africasacountry.com/2025/03/liberal-internationalism-after-usaidFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

04-07
47:38

Sundowns and Pirates score historic wins in CAF Champions League quarterfinals ⎸ AFR 2.32

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps matchday 6 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Africa. This week, Nigeria squandered an opportunity to catch up with South Africa, while Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon excelled.-----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comImperial belonging and the weaponisation of the sea https://africasacountry.com/2025/03/imperial-belonging-and-the-weaponization-of-the-seaFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

04-02
44:52

Previewing the CAF CL QF: Sundowns-Esperance, MCA-Pirates, Ahly-Al Hilal, Pyramids-AS FAR ⎸ AFR 2.31

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews the quarterfinals of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League as Mamelodi Sundowns take on Esperance de Tunis, MC Algiers host Orlando Pirates, Al Ahly and Al Hilal clash and Pyramids play AS FAR.

03-31
42:42

Recommend Channels