Five rounds to the end of the regular season and Maccabi Haifa leads the league with a two-point advantage over second place. On Saturday, a meeting against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona awaits it, which comes with negative momentum.
Most of Barak Bachar’s squad for the match is already closed, with Bogdan Planic returning to center defense and Ernest Mabuka continuing to get credit on the right. Left-back Taleb Twataha has returned to full training and it is estimated he will open against the Northerners. Since joining Maccabi Haifa he has not completed 90 minutes, and in most games San Menachem was preferred over him, but the latter of course is still sent off.
The one who might make a new debut in the lineup is Muhammad Awad, who left the Greens in the summer in favor of Lech Poznan of Poland and returned about two weeks ago. Also, the absence of Dolev Haziza (dismissal), Charon Sheri and Nikita Rokavica (Corona), allows the rest of the players to get opportunities. Goodsway Donio has scored three goals in the last three games and took the opportunity with both hands.
In addition, acquisition player Omar Noble is not yet at his peak of fitness, but the Greens have patience for him and the understanding that he has gone through a major upheaval in his personal life. If he manages to return to his peak ability, Maccabi Haifa will earn one of the best Israelis in the league. Bachar’s only dilemma is between Awad and Yannick Wildshot. Against Hapoel Umm al-Fahm in the last cup game the coach gave the credit to the Dutchman.
Ahead of the playoffs, Maccabi Haifa also wants to enjoy the performance of Yuval Ashkenazi, who returned to training after a month’s absence. Ashkenazi made only 12 appearances in the league this season, of which only four are in the lineup. He suffered great misfortune and two injuries. Last season he was one of the standout players in the green ranks.
Due to the ability of Jose Rodriguez, Neta Lavie and Muhammad Abu Fani, Ashkenazi had a hard time making his way into the squad, but he is expected to get opportunities. The connection may be in the squad for the game against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Estimated composition: Josh Cohen; Ernest Mabuka, Ofri Arad, Bogdan Planic, Taleb Twataha; Jose Rodriguez, Neta Lavie, Muhammad Abu Fani; Noble Omar, Muhammad Awad (Yannik Wildshot) and Goodswai Donio.