Maccabi Haifa Unveils Lineup With Five New Players Ahead of Season Opener Against Hapoel Ramat Gan

Maccabi Haifa is set to kick off the 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season on Saturday at 20:30 with a home match at Sammy Ofer Stadium against newly promoted Hapoel Ramat Gan, coached by former Haifa player Massai Dago. The stadium is expected to be nearly full for the opening game.

The lineup will feature five new players starting: Nigel Lonwijk, Wanderson Tsunami, Yarin Levi, Bruninho, and Omri Glazer. Silva Kani will continue as a forward alongside Kenji Hura, with Kenny Saif surprisingly starting on the right wing. Saif and the midfield trio of Bruninho, Eitan Azulai, and Yarin Levi are tasked with providing defensive support to avoid the vulnerabilities seen in Toto Cup matches. Andrea Novakovic was registered with the football association just before the game and will be on the bench for his first squad inclusion, while Guy Melamed remains out after only recently returning to full training.

Young striker Adam Grimberg will play with the youth team against Hapoel Ra'anana to gain match minutes but is expected to join the senior squad when needed. Video sessions have emphasized Ramat Gan's pressing game and counterattacks, particularly through Luan Campos and David Asenka. The coaching staff demands aggression and tactical discipline, with the attack heavily relying on Bruninho to lead the team.

The club stressed the importance of starting the season with a win, especially after the Toto Cup performances, to build confidence. They have worked on improving areas that were weak in the preseason tournament and believe in a strong season ahead.

Projected starting lineup: Omri Glazer; Yila Bataiy, Pedro, Nigel Lonwijk, Tsunami; Yarin Levi, Eitan Azulai, Bruninho; Kenny Saif, Kenji Hura, Silva Kani.