Maccabi Haifa's Benson Injured and Taken Off on Stretcher in Toto Cup Match

Maccabi Haifa suffered a 1-0 defeat to Hapoel Jerusalem on August 17, 2026, concluding their Toto Cup ranking matches in 10th place and highlighting their unreadiness for the Premier League. The match ended with additional concern as winger Benson from Angola sustained a knee injury, possibly twisting it, near the game's end. He was carried off the field on a stretcher and later walked off with assistance from the medical staff. Benson is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan to assess the injury. Having joined Maccabi Haifa mid-season in 2025/26, Benson played 12 games, scored one goal, and provided two assists. He had missed the last five matches of the previous season's upper playoff due to a thigh muscle injury.