Samuel Owusu Shines in Maccabi Petah Tikva's Strong Liga Leumit Season Opener

Maccabi Petah Tikva made an impressive return to Israel's top football division, Liga Leumit, with a commanding 2-0 victory over Ironi Kiryat Shmona on August 22, 2026. The team, coached by Ziv Arie, dominated from the start and secured a two-goal lead by the 23rd minute. The standout player was Samuel Owusu, a 30-year-old Ghanaian right winger known for his strong left foot, who scored the opening goal in the 12th minute and assisted the second goal ten minutes later.

Owusu, now in his second season with Maccabi Petah Tikva, was instrumental in the club's promotion last season, contributing four goals and eleven assists. His goal came after receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, cutting inside, and delivering a precise shot that hit the post and went in. His assist was a well-executed cross from the right wing to Marco Rekonjac's header.

Owusu joined Israeli football last summer after playing in Serbia's top league, with previous stints in Saudi Arabia and Turkey. He was transferred to Al-Fayha in 2019 for 1.5 million euros and later to NEOM SC in 2023 for 500,000 euros. His early-season performance suggests he could be a surprise standout this year in the Liga Leumit.