John Otomawo’s Maccabi Haifa shirt sparked buzz, but the reason was harmless

John Otomawo, the 19-year-old midfielder who broke out for Hapoel Jerusalem last season, caused a stir on Monday after posting an Instagram story from training in Nigeria while wearing a Maccabi Haifa shirt. The image quickly drew attention because Otomawo has become one of the most talked-about young players in the Israeli Premier League.

Otomawo arrived last summer for Hapoel Jerusalem’s youth team, was thrown straight into the senior lineup for his debut in the derby against Beitar Jerusalem, and went on to become a regular starter for the rest of the season. His strong performances have already attracted interest from several clubs in Europe.

The explanation for the Haifa shirt was simple, according to the report, Otomawo had swapped shirts with a Maccabi Haifa player after one of their matches last season. There are no talks between Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa, and the player’s future appears to be overseas.

At Hapoel Jerusalem, officials reportedly understand that Otomawo’s time at the club is likely limited. The expectation is that a significant offer will arrive soon, allowing the club to maximize the transfer fee, similar to its previous major sale, Cedric Don, who later joined Maccabi Haifa.