Beitar Jerusalem Prepares for Maccabi Netanya with Jordan Shua’s Fitness in Doubt

Beitar Jerusalem is set to hold its final training session on Friday ahead of its opening match of the 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season against Maccabi Netanya at Bloomfield Stadium. This game will be their first league match since their fixture against Hapoel Tel Aviv was postponed to the following Thursday. A major uncertainty surrounds the fitness of team captain Jordan Shua, who participated in training but continues to experience calf sensitivity. While he is expected to be included in the squad, it is unlikely he will start the match. The coaching staff prefers to avoid risking his condition and plans to use him only if necessary, aiming to have him fully fit for the next game against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Shon Weisman will return to the squad after recovering from injury, whereas Jordan Cohen will remain absent. Meanwhile, Beitar Jerusalem is awaiting finalization of a deal with Independiente Medellín for Colombian midfielder Alexis Serna. The club is eager to complete the transfer, which depends on agreeing loan fees and a purchase option with Serna’s current team. The coaching staff has monitored many candidates, and Serna has stood out as a preferred choice.

The expected starting lineup for the match includes Miguel Silva in goal; Nana Antwi, Brian Carvalho, Luka Gadrani, and Nevo Shudo in defense; Boris Ino, Daniel Vorko, and Noam Motta (or Ziv Ben Shimol) in midfield; and Omar Atzili, Eugene Ansah (or Timothy Muzi), and Jonbusco Calu in attack.