Osman Mema

Osman Mema (born 2 July 1939) was an Albanian professional footballer who played as a midfielder. His is one of the most decorated players in the history of Albanian football, having won the Albanian National Championship 7 times.

Osman Mema
Personal information
Full name Osman Mustafa Mema
Date of birth (1939-07-02) July 2, 1939
Place of birth Tirana, Albania
Playing position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
1956–1958 17 Nëntori Tirana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1958 17 Nëntori
1958–1965 Partizani
1965–1971 17 Nëntori
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Mema, like the rest of his siblings, was a product of 17 Nëntori Academy, earning his promotion in 1958 after winning two consecutive championships.[1] Soon after that, he was called for the military service and joined the county's army team Partizani.[1] Mema enjoyed great success there, playing with footballers such as Refik Resmja and Panajot Pano, winning the championship twice and the Republic Cup once.[1]

In 1965, at his father's request, Mema, who at that time was Partizani's most paid player, made a sensational return to 17 Nëntori, whom he stayed until 1971, the year in which he decided to end his career.[1] He was able to play with his brother Ali in his second spell, helping the club to win three more league titles.[1]

Style of play

In his prime, Mema was noted for his acceleration, speed, stamina and work rate. He played as a Defensive midfielder, but nevertheless he also tended to make runs forward, which also made him an attacking threat.[1]

Personal life

Osman was part of Mema dynasty,[2] a family which has produced several footballers throughout the years.[3] His brothers Haxhi and Ali were both footballers, as well as his nephew and Haxhi's son Sulejman, and Ali's son Ardian, who was also a footballer who played mostly for Tirana and is currently its coach.[4]

References
  1. "Osman Mema – Mjeshtër i Sportit – KF Tirona" [Osman Mema – Master of Sports – KF Tirona] (in Albanian). Tirona. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  2. "Dinastia "Mema"" ["Mema" dynasty] (in Albanian). Vlerat Shqiptare. 3 February 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  3. "Futbolli shqiptar në zi, ndahet nga jeta Ali Mema" [Football is mourining] (in Albanian). Top-Channel.tv. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  4. "Zi te Tirana, i ati i Ardian Memës ndahet nga jeta" [Tirana mourns, Ardian Mema's father has passed away] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.


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