Former Maccabi Haifa Star Sabrina Thrives as Super-Sub for Sabah in Champions League Playoffs

In the summer of 2026, two teams, Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Azerbaijan's Sabah FC, face off in Bucharest with a historic chance to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time. Among Sabah's squad is Kasaner Sabrina, a winger who joined Maccabi Haifa in 2024 for 1.5 million euros but failed to meet expectations and was loaned out before transferring to Sabah.

Sabrina struggled at Haifa, losing his place by December 2024 and suffering injuries. Despite scoring four goals and an assist in the playoff phase, Haifa sought to offload him. A loan to Portugal's Casa Pia saw limited playing time, and by early 2026 his market value halved from 1.2 million to 600,000 euros. However, his move to Sabah marked a turning point. Initially a bench player, Sabrina became a "super-sub," contributing to three goals in four recent matches, including assists and crucial strikes in Champions League qualifiers and league games.

Sabah's coach, Vladas Dambrauskas, redefined Sabrina's role, utilizing his speed late in games against tiring defenses, an advantage noted by Azerbaijani media ahead of the clash with Be'er Sheva. This contrasts with the impatience Sabrina faced in Israel, where poor performances were met with harsh criticism and limited opportunities. The article highlights how Israeli clubs often prematurely dismiss foreign players, citing examples like Wesley Petacchi and others who flourished after initial struggles.

Sabrina's resurgence at Sabah underscores the unpredictable nature of football, where players once deemed failures can rise to prominence on the biggest stages. As Be'er Sheva and Sabah prepare for their Champions League playoff matches, Sabrina's story embodies the sport's capacity for redemption and surprise.