Ali Mema facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ali Mustafa Mema | ||
| Date of birth | 1 February 1943 | ||
| Place of birth | Tirana, Albania | ||
| Date of death | 26 March 2019 (aged 76) | ||
| Place of death | Tirana, Albania | ||
| Height | 1.72 m | ||
| Playing position | Offensive midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1958–1960 | 17 Nëntori Tirana | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1960–1966 | 17 Nëntori | ||
| 1966–1968 | Vllaznia | ||
| 1968–1970 | 17 Nëntori | ||
| 1970–1971 | Partizani | ||
| 1971–1972 | 17 Nëntori | ||
| National team | |||
| 1963–1967 | Albania | 14 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1972–1987 | 17 Nëntori (assistant) | ||
| 1998–1999 | Tirana | ||
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Ali Mema was a famous Albanian footballer. He was born on February 1, 1943, and passed away on March 26, 2019. Ali Mema played as a midfielder, which is a key position in football. He spent most of his career playing for a team called 17 Nëntori Tirana. He also played for the Albanian national team 14 times. Many people remember him as one of the best players in Tirana's history.
Club Career
Ali Mema was born in Tirana. He grew up in the center of the capital city. His family included his brothers, Haxhi and Osman. Both of his brothers also became professional footballers.
Ali went to the Kostandin Kristoforidhi School near his home. He played for his school's football team. Later, he joined his local team, 17 Nëntori Tirana, which was close to his family. He started in the youth team of 17 Nëntori Tirana.
In 1960, when he was just 17, he was moved up to the senior team. His youth coach told him to report to the first team. The first team coach, Myslym Alla, called him up for a big game. It was a derby match against Partizani Tirana. Mema played in the game as a substitute. He came on with ten minutes left. Even though his team lost, coach Alla was very impressed with Mema. From that day on, Ali Mema became a permanent player for the first team.
Mema became famous for something special. In the 1962–63 Albanian Cup final, he played as a goalkeeper! This was against Besa Kavajë. Tirana lost the first game 3-2 at home. But they won the second game 1-0. Back then, the "away goals rule" wasn't used in Albania. So, the winner had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Both of Tirana's regular goalkeepers were injured. The players suggested to coach Myslym Alla that Mema should play as goalkeeper. This was because Mema had played in that position before. He saved the first three penalties from the other team! This helped Tirana win the cup.
Ali Mema stopped playing football in 1972. He was only 29 years old. The club decided they needed to make changes to the team. This meant there was no longer a place for older, experienced players like him.
International Career
Ali Mema played for the Albanian national team. His first game was in June 1963. It was an Olympic Games qualification match against Bulgaria in Tirana.
He played a total of 14 games for his country. He did not score any goals in these matches. His last international game was in December 1967. It was a European Championship qualification match against West Germany.
Style of Play
Ali Mema was seen as one of Albania's best players in the 1960s and 1970s. He was not very tall, only about 5 feet 8 inches. But he was very good at heading the ball. He was known for scoring at least one goal with his head against every team he played.
He spent most of his career as a midfielder. He was excellent because of his great technique and ball control. He also had good vision, meaning he could see the whole field well. He could use both of his feet to play the ball. Other players also praised him for being determined, disciplined, and fair on the field.
Personal Life
Ali Mema was part of the Mema family. This family has produced many footballers over the years. His brothers, Haxhi and Osman, were both footballers. His nephew, Sulejman Mema, who was Haxhi's son, also played football. Ali Mema had two sons. One of them, Ardian Mema, also became a footballer. Ardian mostly played for Tirana and later became its coach.
Honours
- Albanian Superliga: 4
- 1965
- 1966
- 1968
- 1970
