Kwame Peprah Misses Out in Israel, Scores 46 Goals in Asian Leagues

Kwame Peprah, a Ghanaian striker who briefly appeared for Hapoel Hadera in Israel during the summer of 2023, has since become a prolific scorer in Asian football. After a short and inconclusive trial at Hadera, where he played only two Toto Cup matches and scored once without featuring in the Israeli Premier League, Peprah was released before the season began. Despite showing potential, the coaching staff doubted his fit and value as a foreign player, leading to his departure.

Following his exit from Israel, Peprah signed a two-year contract with Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League. His first season was hampered by injury, but he improved in his second year, scoring 14 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions. In 2025, he moved to Svay Rieng, the Cambodian champions, where he found his stride as a key attacking player. Peprah scored 24 league goals to become the top scorer and helped his team win the Cambodian league title.

Additionally, Peprah excelled in the AFC Challenge League, netting eight goals and leading Svay Rieng to the final, where they narrowly lost 4-3 to Kuwait SC after extra time. He finished the tournament as the top scorer. At just 25 years old, Peprah has played in Ghana, South Africa, Israel, India, and Cambodia, with his career trajectory improving significantly after leaving Israel. Earlier this month, he extended his contract with Svay Rieng until 2028, signaling his commitment to the club and region.

Peprah's story highlights how a player can be overlooked in one league yet flourish elsewhere, becoming a leading scorer and champion in Asian football. His brief and underwhelming stint in Israel contrasts sharply with his recent success and growing reputation in Southeast Asia.