HAMZA RAFIA NEWS

Not part of the plans Rafia hasn't been inserted in the Serie A list for the next few months, director Pantaleo Corvino announced.

Impact Rafia dealt with an illness before the break and was made available on the transfer market but didn't transfer. He could be reintroduced only in case of severe injuries. He logged 18 appearances last season, but none since late February. Lecce will lean on Lassana Coulibaly, Ylber Ramadani, Medon Berisha, Mohamed Kaba, Alex Sala and Thorir Helgason in the midfield.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Milan clash Rafia hasn't been selected for Friday's game against Milan due to illness, Lecce relayed.

Impact Rafia came down with the flu in recent days and hasn't been called up. He was an afterthought in the final few months of the past campaign, and the situation doesn't appear to have changed under a different coach, as he was unused in the opener. Alex Sala, Thorir Helgason and Youssef Maleh will deputize the staters without him and Balthazar Pierret (illness).

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

DNP against Bologna Rafia (thigh) didn't come off the bench in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Bologna.

Impact Rafia was back after a month, but the gaffer made different choices. Thorir Helgason (abdomen) subbed off in this one, and he'll be in contention to start if the teammate doesn't recover for the next match.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Selected for Bologna tilt Rafia will be an option Sunday versus Bologna, Lecce announced.

Impact Rafia has healed up from a thigh strain that cost him four matches and will attempt to reclaim his previous starting job in the next few weeks, but Thorir Helgason has been sound in relief. He has totaled three key passes, 15 crosses (one accurate), 13 corners and 17 tackles (12 won) in his last five outings.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers thigh injury Rafia has been diagnosed with a grade two biceps femoris strain in his right thigh, Lecce announced.

Impact Rafia got hurt during the last match and will be out for 30-to-40 days as the problem is significant. Medon Berisha (thigh), Ylber Ramadani and Mohamed Kaba will fill in for him in the midfield in the upcoming rounds.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Swings in five crosses against Empoli Rafia won three of four tackles and had two chances created, five crosses (one accurate) and two chances created in Friday's 1-1 draw against Empoli.

Impact Rafia was handed his fourth straight start and had a strong performance on both ends, contributing to the final push with his passing chops. He'll face less competition than usual with Balthazar Pierret (thigh) out long-term. He has notched six chances created, 16 crosses (five accurate) and 11 tackles (seven won) in the recent stretch.

NOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Serviceable in Lecce bout Rafia drew one foul and recorded one cross (one accurate) and three tackles (all won) in Saturday's 1-0 loss against Bologna.

Impact Rafia started over Balthazar Pierret for the third straight game but focused more on the passive phase compared to previous fixtures. He has logged four shots (two on target), five chances created, 12 crosses (four accurate) and 11 tackles (seven won) in his last five showings.

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resurfaces in Napoli tilt Rafia created three scoring chances and had six crosses (one accurate), three tackles (one win) and five corners in Saturday's 1-0 loss versus Napoli.

Impact Rafia drew the start for the first time in a couple of months and had a complete performance, filling it up offensively thanks to several corner kicks. It remains to be seen whether he has done enough to supplant Balthazar Pierret. He has notched nine crosses (one accurate), 10 tackles (seven won), four key passes and four interceptions in his last five appearances.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Works hard in Monza fixture Rafia won five of seven duels and 11 duels and had one shot (zero on goal) and two interceptions in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Monza.

Impact Rafia had a remarkable defensive performance while filling in for Ylber Ramadani (illness) for the second game in a row, but his side allowed a late goal on a PK. He has posted four shots (zero on target), 12 tackels (eight won), and seven crosses (two accurate) in his last five appearances.

APRIL 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets bailed out in Frosinone tilt Rafia won two duels, drew one foul, won one of one tackle and registered five crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Frosinone.

Impact Rafia got the nod over Remi Oudin for the second week in a row and paced his team in deliveires but wasn't very impactful besides that. He missed a PK in the second half, but a defender entered the box early, and Nenad Kstovic took the second attempt. He has logged three off-target shots, three chances created and seven crosses (two accurate) in the last four games.

MARCH 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Swings in three crosses versus Genoa Rafia had three crosses (one accurate), one tackle (zero won), two successful duels, and one corner in 17 minutes in Sunday's 1-2 loss to Genoa.

Impact Rafia returned to his secondary role after AFCON and didn't put good numbers. He'll work primarily as Remi Oudin's deputy going forward. He has logged two shots (three on target), six crosses (two accurate), and five tackles in his last five showings (one start).

JANUARY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Available versus Genoa Rafia (AFCON) has been selected for Sunday's clash with Genoa.

Impact Rafia trained once after Tunisia bowed out early in AFCON and will be an extra option in the midfield. He'll have better chances of featuring if Remi Oudin plays in the trident. He came off the bench in most of the fixtures leading up to the competition. He has posted four shots (two on target), one key pass, and three crosses (one accurate) in his last five appearances.

JANUARY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Called up by Algeria Rafia is part of Algeria's squad for AFCON, Lecce announced.

Impact Rafia has left Italy to prepare for the competition and will be sidelined at least until the end of January. He recently made his first start in a while since Remi Oudin moved to the frontline. The teammate will be able to return to the midfield once Pontus Almqvist is ready. In the meantime, Joan Gonzalez, Mohamed Kaba, and Alexis Blin will pick up the slack.

JANUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Own goal leads to draw Rafia recorded an own goal, one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Monday's 1-1 draw versus Empoli.

Impact Rafia made a critical error in Monday's match, scoring an own goal in the 71st minute to equalize the game and take away a full three points from his team in a match where Empoli failed to score one of their own. He was also poor in the defense, only registering a single tackle won in his 30 minutes of play off the bench.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Serviceable against Napoli Rafia won two of four tackles and eight duels registered four crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-4 defeat against Napoli.

Impact Rafia returned to the XI after coming off the bench midweek and had a solid two-way showing, although he couldn't find a teammate in any of his crosses despite pacing his side. He's likely to continue splitting time with Remi Oudin. He has logged 12 deliveries (one accurate), six tackles, and one chance in the last five games.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal output off the bench Rafia registered one cross (zero accurate) in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat versus Juventus. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 69th minute.

Impact Rafia was named to the substitutes bench after starting every game prior, although he never played the full 90 in any of those games. He has very little statistical production to show for his minutes besides a goal in Lecce's second match and appears to be falling back into their midfield rotation.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swings in five crosses versus Monza Rafia recorded five crosses (one accurate), two duels, one block, and one tackle (one won) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Monza.

Impact Rafia paced his team in deliveries, although not with great touch, despite getting pulled pretty early after getting booked. He might have to split time with Remi Oudin once his new teammate gets in shape. He has scored once added four shots (one on target), eight crosses (one accurate), and seven tackles. Lecce will face Genoa at home Friday.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores goal Rafia scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Fiorentina.

Impact Rafia has his first goal of the 2023-24 Serie A only two matches into his Lecce career. Though his first-division sample size is small, it is promising for the time being. With his performance Sunday, Rafia is expected to have secured a regular spot in Lecce's starting XI.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Serviceable in Lazio game Rafia generated two shots (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-1 win versus Lazio.

Impact Rafia was a useful cog in the final third but didn't have an overly flashy performance. He provided assists in spades in the lower leagues, but he hasn't completely taken over set pieces for his new team just yet. He'll face competition from fellow newcomer Mohamed Kaba and incumbent Alexis Blin and Youssef Maleh.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to Lecce Rafia has signed a two-year contract with an option upon joining from Pescara, Lecce announced.

Impact Rafia is coming off a strong season in Serie C, where he logged three goals and 14 assists in 33 matches. While he was playing in the third division, he's not a youngster, so the adjustment period might not be that long. He could have a meaningful role if Lecce fail to bring back Remi Oudin.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Juve squad enters into isolation ahead of Barca clash after Rafia tests positive for Covid-19 ' Goal.com Juventus' senior squad has gone into isolation ahead of their Joan Gamper Trophy clash with Barcelona next weekend after Hamza Rafia tested positive for Covid-19.

JULY 29, 2021 • GOAL.COM