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.

Nigera 2025 Afcon preview: Uncertain times for Super Eagles

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Colin Udoh to preview the Nigerian national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow Eurico here: https://x.com/ColinUdohFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-12
26:55

2025 Angola Afcon preview: Time for a rebuild

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Eurico Costa to preview the Angolan national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow Eurico here: https://x.com/passeverticalFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-11
29:29

2025 Senegal Afcon preview: Are Senegal the best team in Africa?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Babacar Diarra to preview the Senegalese national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow Babacar here: @BabsDiarraFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-10
25:07

2025 Cameroon Afcon preview: Eto'o attempts renaissance of Indomitable Lions

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Emmanuel Lavogez to preview the Cameroonian national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-07
27:03

2025 Algeria Afcon preview: Les Fennecs are a complete unknown

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Hamza Rahmani to preview the Algerian national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-06
19:47

2026 FIFA World Cup draw reaction: Which African sides can get out of their groups?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw and what it means for African national teams.-----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-06
19:47

2025 Zambia Afcon preview: Chipolopolo in rebuild

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Calvin Kaumba Chikenge to preview the Zambian national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-04
19:13

2025 South Africa Afcon preview: Are Bafana for real?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Njabulo Ngidi to preview the South African national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-03
33:23

2025 Egypt Afcon preview: Can Mohamed Salah finally win the Afcon?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi is joined by Amr Fahmy as they preview the Egyptian national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations---------------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

12-02
27:24

Rhulani Mokwena speaks about life in Algiers, coaching principles, CAF CL and Sundowns

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi sits with MC Algiers coach, Rhulani Mokwena, to discuss his new life in Algiers and his coaching pastTimestamps: (00:00:17) First impression of Algeria(00:01:21) How much tourism do you do?(00:03:02) Best thing about being in Algeria so far?(00:06:03) Is MC Algiers underrated on the continent?(00:08:54) Can you tell how much this club means to people?(00:10:13) Is it heavy running a club that means so much?(00:12:21) How much North African supporters influence decision-making(00:15:35) What kind of football does MC Algiers want you to play?(00:18:55) Baptism of fire despite hot start in the league(00:24:26) Paradox of technical football vs lack of goals in Algeria(00:33:58) Playing so many young players so early(00:39:40) Repositioning Larbi Tabti(00:43:35) Playing Reda Halaimia as an inverted fullback(00:47:37) What are "principles" and what yours?(00:54:37) Keeping players stimulated in training(00:57:41) Challenging coach on his career management(01:04:35) Challenging coach on not being "obsessed" with winning CAF CL(01:09:32) Challenging coach on player vs coach responsibility(01:17:01) Motivation for beating Sundowns in CAF CL(01:19:05) How do you feel about Mamelodi Sundowns as a club?(01:22:07) Coaching with emotion vs coaching emotionally(01:24:43) Who will win the Afcon?(01:25:44) A South African youngster that will play in Europe(01:27:25) Continuing his family's legacyShot by Mindak Agency: https://www.instagram.com/mindak.agencyEdited by: Mohamed Benhassir-----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-26
01:31:58

Sundowns, Pyramids, Berkane dominate Matchday 1 of 2025/2026 CAF Champions League

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps Matchday 1 of the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League group stage. -----------------------This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-24
35:53

DR Congo advance; Nigeria eliminated from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs!

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying (CAF zone) confederation play-off between Nigeria and DR Congo.This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-17
20:06

NIGERIA OR DR CONGO? Which African team will make FIFA international World Cup qualifying playoff?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying (CAF zone) confederation play-off between Nigeria and DR Congo.READ: After Paul Biyahttps://africasacountry.com/2025/10/after-paul-biyaThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-15
16:32

Nigeria and DR Congo advance to final of African 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying (CAF zone) confederation play-off between Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and DR Congo.READ: After Paul Biyahttps://africasacountry.com/2025/10/after-paul-biyaThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-14
35:47

Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo or Gabon? Who will make it past ’26 Africa World Cup qualifying playoff?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying (CAF zone) confederation play-off between Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and DR Congo.READ: The myth of Christian genocidehttps://africasacountry.com/2025/10/the-myth-of-christian-genocideThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-11
27:50

Hakimi or Salah? Who is the African player of the year?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi declares who he would have voted for for the 2025 CAF AwardsREAD: After the coronationhttps://africasacountry.com/2025/11/after-the-coronationThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-06
26:28

CAF Confederation Cup draw: Wydad, Zamalek, USM Algiers, Kaizer Chiefs? Who are favourites?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi reacts to the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup group stage drawREAD: After the coronationhttps://africasacountry.com/2025/11/after-the-coronationThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-05
20:58

Mokwena drawn against Sundowns! | 2025/2026 CAF Champions League draw reaction

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi reacts to the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League group stage drawREAD: An island nation, everywhere https://africasacountry.com/2025/10/an-island-nation-everywhereThis podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

11-03
29:13

2026 FIFA World Cup: Cape Verde, South Africa qualify; Nigeria, Cameroon make playoffs

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi recaps matchday 10 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (CAF zone)This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

10-15
34:45

Nigera? South Africa? Cape Verde? Who will qualify on the last day of 2026 World Cup qualifying?

In this episode of the African Five-a-side podcast, Maher Mezahi previews matchday 10 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (CAF zone)This podcast is brought to you by: www.africasacountry.comREAD: Cameroon’s last election: https://africasacountry.com/2025/10/cameroons-last-electionFollow us on social media:https://twitter.com/AfricanFiveSidehttps://www.tiktok.com/@african.fiveaside

10-12
33:58

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