Maccabi Haifa Faces Foreign Player Quota Issues Affecting Andrea Novakovic's Playtime

Maccabi Haifa is currently dealing with complications regarding striker Andrea Novakovic's participation in upcoming Toto Cup matches due to foreign player quota restrictions. Novakovic, who recently recovered from a virus, played in a recent friendly against the youth team, which Haifa won 2-0, but his match fitness remains uncertain. The club hopes that Peter Agba, another foreign player occupying a roster spot, will be loaned out soon, but so far Agba has declined loan offers, leaving the foreign player limit full and preventing Novakovic's registration.

Meanwhile, Manuel Benson showed promise by starting and scoring in the friendly, having already appeared in the Toto Cup this season. The club is optimistic about Benson's development after overcoming an Achilles injury and expects him to play a leading role in the attack. Additionally, Maccabi Haifa completed the signing of goalkeeper Omer Niraon on loan from Maccabi Netanya, with a loan fee of 100,000 euros and a purchase option of 250,000 euros. Niraon, who passed medical tests, is set to be officially presented as the club's second-choice goalkeeper, earning an annual salary of approximately 150,000 euros.

The club is gradually reintegrating Novakovic into the squad, aiming for him to regain full fitness and contribute significantly once eligible to play. The situation remains fluid as the team prepares for upcoming league and cup fixtures.