Beitar Jerusalem Nears Signing of Speedy Winger Nene Gambela

Beitar Jerusalem has identified Nene Gambela, a 24-year-old winger from Tiberias, as a potential acquisition. The club is reportedly considering a transfer fee of 500,000 shekels for the player, who would join Beitar for the 2026/27 season. Gambela, in his first season in the Israeli Premier League, is recognized as one of the league's fastest players, reaching a top speed of 35.8 km/h this season, ranking him 20th overall. He is also noted for his dribbling skills, averaging 2.7 successful dribbles per game with a 51% success rate, placing him second in the league in this category.

Gambela has started in five of Tiberias's seven matches this season. While he exhibits good ball control and is an active winger who recovers possession frequently (5.7 times per 90 minutes), he has a relatively low shot count, with only seven attempts so far. His previous experience includes playing in smaller leagues in Russia, Qatar, and Azerbaijan, with his most significant stint being in Slovenia's Celje, where he recorded two goals and three assists in his best season. He initially arrived in Israel on a trial basis, impressing in the Toto Cup before joining Tiberias.

The transfer is contingent on Beitar Jerusalem's foreign player roster situation, as the team currently has eight foreign players, including two forwards. Gambela is expected to be a signing for the following season, potentially replacing one of the current foreign forwards. Almog Cohen, known for similar player acquisitions in recent years, has previously signed players with impressive physical attributes and speed. Gambela's technical ability and capacity to play in tight spaces, though not extensively utilized at Tiberias, could be valuable.

Gambela will finish the current season with Tiberias but will belong to Beitar Jerusalem. His potential move could be influenced by Eugene Ansah obtaining Israeli citizenship. Gambela had previously attracted interest from other Israeli Premier League clubs in 2022, but a transfer fell through due to visa issues. His addition could offer tactical flexibility alongside players like Yarden Shua and Omer Atzili. The timing of the potential transfer also comes amidst Tiberias's financial difficulties, which led to the departure of Motty Krispil, potentially making the club vulnerable to other Premier League teams seeking to acquire players.