Barak Itzhaki Reveals Past Interest in Congo Star Before Joining Beitar Jerusalem

During the halftime of the England versus Democratic Republic of Congo match, former Beitar Jerusalem coach Barak Itzhaki shared an intriguing story about Brian Sifanga, the unexpected scorer who gave Congo a 1-0 lead. Itzhaki revealed that two years ago, he and Almog Cohen tried to recruit Sifanga to Beitar Jerusalem. However, Sifanga was hesitant to join due to the unstable situation in his home country. Itzhaki praised Sifanga's skills, describing him as an exceptional one-on-one winger.

Brian Sifanga, a left winger, spent the last two seasons playing for Castellón in Spain's second division. In the previous season, he scored six goals and provided nine assists. On the day of the match, Sifanga officially transferred to Almería, another team in Spain's second division. This transfer marks a significant step in his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Itzhaki's revelation highlights the challenges and considerations players face when moving internationally, especially from countries with difficult circumstances. Sifanga's progress in Spain's competitive leagues and his recent goal against England underline his growing prominence in international football.