Jerusalem FC's Chilufia Returns With Mask for Sakhnin Clash

Hapoel Jerusalem FC is preparing to host Bnei Sakhnin on Saturday evening at Teddy Stadium, aiming for their first home victory of the season before the international break. The team, which secured a single point against Maccabi Netanya in its recent tough schedule, has yet to win at home this season, having lost to Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The main team news is the return of Eduard Chilufia, who has rejoined training after suffering a nasal fracture. He is practicing with a custom-fitted mask and is expected to be available for the match, though his playing time will be limited. The availability of Nedim Varešanović, injured during the Netanya game, remains uncertain, as does Shahrani Zubayro, who has a slight strain. Sunny Abdulsalam continues to deal with an injury, and Jonathan Lish is also out of the squad. The coaching staff was pleased with the team's defensive performance against Netanya, highlighting Christ Tiehi's leadership in midfield. Facing Sakhnin, who are on a five-game unbeaten streak and have conceded only seven goals this season, Hapoel Jerusalem anticipates a physical match. The team plans to focus on patient ball movement and smart attacking play to break down Sakhnin's defense and secure their first home win. Coach Lior Zada acknowledged the team's struggles with significant offensive player absences, including Sunny Abdulsalam and potentially Zubayro and Varešanović. He noted Chilufia's return as a crucial boost. Zada emphasized the team's effort to improve consistency and toughness over 90 minutes, tailoring their training to counter Sakhnin's strengths. Players Ovad Almagor and Ofek Nadir expressed the team's desire to win at home and finish the current stretch with a victory, stressing the need for concentration and aggressive play.

Almagor stated, "We need to play our football against a good team in momentum. The key is concentration from the first moment. It's especially important to go into the break with a win and a boost, and I believe we will do it." Nadir added, "It's time we won this season at Teddy. Especially after the recent results, we all want it. We need to press after losing the ball and attack with courage, so we can celebrate like in the last game against Sakhnin at home, and leave for the break with smiles, we deserve it." He also commented on the team's shift towards more direct play with fewer risks in the back, aiming for more attractive football while acknowledging the need to fix defensive vulnerabilities.