Hapoel Petah Tikva Goalkeeper Omer Katz Commits to Team Amid Tough Toto Cup Start

Hapoel Petah Tikva concluded a disappointing Toto Cup campaign on August 15, 2026, with a 1-0 loss to Bnei Sakhnin, marking their fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament and finishing last in 14th place. The club faces mounting pressure from fans dissatisfied with the team's performance, especially following last season's playoff qualification. Despite the criticism, the club acknowledges the season is still in its early stages and expects improvement once the league begins and the squad is finalized.

Goalkeeper Omer Katz, speaking to Sport 5 after the match, described the Toto Cup results as unreflective of league potential. He emphasized the team’s awareness of existing problems and expressed confidence in upcoming progress. Katz noted the squad's significant changes since last season, with many new players still adapting. Addressing recent transfer rumors linking him to Maccabi Haifa, Katz stated he is fully committed to Hapoel Petah Tikva and focused on improving both personally and as a team.

The club is also preparing for the likely departure of Zambian forward Chipioka Songa, whose transfer to Portuguese top-tier club Moreirense is nearing completion. The deal is expected to bring Hapoel Petah Tikva close to 800,000 euros and retain 20% of Songa's future transfer rights. Katz praised Songa’s contributions on and off the field and wished him well.

To fill the gap left by Songa, Hapoel Petah Tikva is close to signing winger Edmond Asante from M.S. Ashdod, who joined Ashdod in January 2026 after impressing in trials. Additionally, the coaching staff is actively seeking a foreign central defender to strengthen the team's defense, with plans to bring the player to Israel soon.

The club and fans now look ahead to the start of the league, hoping for a turnaround after a challenging preseason.