Maccabi Haifa Defender Nigel Lonwijk Blamed for Early Goal in Debut Match

In Maccabi Haifa's Toto Cup match against Ironi Kiryat Shmona on July 28, 2026, new defender Nigel Lonwijk made a costly error just seven minutes into his debut. The Dutch center-back lost possession to young striker Niv Gabai, who was loaned from Haifa to Kiryat Shmona this summer. Gabai capitalized on the mistake and scored an easy goal against his parent club, putting Haifa behind early in the game. The blunder drew harsh criticism online, with some fans comparing Lonwijk's mistake to beginner-level errors in the FIFA video game. After conceding, Lonwijk changed his boots on the field. This followed Maccabi Haifa's opening loss to Hapoel Haifa in the Toto Cup, and the team is eager to secure its first official win of the 2026/27 season. The match highlighted ongoing struggles for the Greens as they seek to improve their form.