Israeli Premier League: Kangwa instrumental again as Hapoel Be’er Sheva clinch title

Kings Kangwa provided a goal and an assist to help Hapoel Be’er Sheva clinch their sixth Israeli Premier League title on Tuesday with a 4-2 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The match was riveting at the start with a thrilling first half that left the two teams deadlocked at 2-2. An exchange of penalty kicks put the score at 1-1 through 24 minutes before the Zambian tallied his 12th goal of the season in the 28th minute with a powerful low shot.

Maccabi did respond through Kervin Andrade before halftime, leaving more work to be done for the hosts. They proceeded to control play after halftime with dominance of possession and the majority of opportunities.

And their hard work paid off when the decisive moment came in the 77th minute. Kangwa created space on the left wing and curled in a cross towards the far post, where the ball was headed back in the other direction to find Javon East for a low cross that was finished by Zahi Ahmed.

Three minutes later, Kangwa’s free kick service found the head of Miguel Vitor for a header past stranded Maccabi goalkeeper Ofek Melika and the celebrations were at full force at the Toto Turner Stadium.

It is Hapoel’s first title since the 2017-18 season after a couple of close calls. Last season, the team were strong contenders only to come up two points short against the team they faced on Tuesday, adding further significance to the victory.

Supporters were also following the other title contenders, Beitar Jerusalem, who could only manage a 0-0 draw at Hapoel Petah Tikva which mathematically confirmed their title triumph.

 

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Israeli Premier League champions now focus on completing double

Now Hapoel Be’er Sheva, four points clear with one matchday remaining, can rest their key players in the final league fixture on Saturday against Maccabi Haifa. An opportunity for a domestic double now beckons next Tuesday when Hapoel face Maccabi Tel Aviv yet again, this time to determine the winner of the State Cup where Hapoel are the defending champions.

The Zambian playmaker, last season’s Foreign Player of the Year in the Israeli top flight, has continued on with more excellent form this season. He has 12 goals and 9 assists from 33 league matches this season, saving his best form for the end with 2 goals and 4 assists in the last 5 matches.