Hapoel Be’er Sheva stay on top of Israeli Premier League after crucial Kangwa equalizer

Beitar Jerusalem appeared set to snatch top spot in the Israeli Premier League but Kings Kangwa’s reply kept Hapoel Be’er Sheva ahead of the pace in an important 1-1 draw at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.

Yarden Shua’s strike from distance sent the home supporters into ecstasy but Kangwa capitalized on a moment of indecision from the Beitar defense four minutes later to help his team claim a point away from home.

Hapoel appeared to be well in control throughout the match while limiting opportunities for the hosts, who conceded the upper hand three days earlier when they fell 0-3 at Maccabi Haifa. Shua added anxiety for the opposition supporters when his goal came out of nowhere on Beitar’s first and only shot on target late in the second half.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s Zambian star with a timely intervention

But when a cross from the right wing by Hapoel right back Guy Mizrahi was nodded down into the Beitar six-yard box, central defender Luka Gadrani failed to cleanly control the ball and Kangwa pounced quickly to apply the final touch from close range for his 11th goal of the season.

 

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Even with a two-point lead, plenty of hard work remains for last season’s runners-up who are seeking their first league title since the 2017-18 season. Three rounds remain in the championship phase, with three games in eight days left to play including their next test away at Hapoel Tel Aviv on Friday.

Kangwa, the Israeli top flight’s reigning Foreign Player of the Year, is finding his best form at the right time. He has two assists and now a goal in his last three matches.