Ironi Tiberias with a depleted squad, six new players in the Sakhnin lineup

The most turbulent team of the summer was Ironi Tiberias, which, following a double-contract scandal and point deductions (the team begins the season at minus six), became entangled in an IV drip scandal and is starting the season without coach Eliran Hudeda and several suspended players. In the opening round of the Toto Cup, they host Bnei Sakhnin, which enjoyed an exceptionally quiet summer and managed to register all new signings back in July.

Walla

Source •July 25, 2026, 19:07

The most turbulent team of the summer was Ironi Tiberias, which, following a double-contract scandal and point deductions (the team begins the season at minus six), became entangled in an IV drip scandal and is starting the season without coach Eliran Hudeda and several suspended players. In the opening round of Group A of the Toto Cup, they host Bnei Sakhnin, which enjoyed an exceptionally quiet summer and managed to register all new signings back in July.

On the sidelines for Tiberias is Morris Ozan, the professional director of the youth department who previously coached the team. Aside from Guy Hadida, Sambinha, Niv Gottlieb, and David Keltjens (suspended due to the IV drip scandal), he is also missing Gal Maatouk (the training compensation fee for Maccabi Petah Tikva has not yet been determined) and Samir Farhud (suspended for five matches following the chaos in the State Cup final). Nana Gbamala, a trialist from Ivory Coast, is starting in the lineup along with new players such as Chris Kouakou, Bar Cohen, and Kais Ganem. On the other side, Yossi Abukasis placed six of the seven new arrivals in the starting XI, with Romanian Raul Balbrau between the posts.

Lineups

Ironi Tiberias: Ido Sharon, Itamar Gueta, Ron Unger, Ondrej Baco, Nehorai Hen, Guy Sanker, Chris Kouakou, Bar Cohen, Ari Cohen, Nana Gbamala, Kais Ganem.

Bnei Sakhnin: Raul Balbrau, Amit Kardi, Iyad Abu Abaid, Maroun Gantous, Sanna Gomez, Norberto Carlos, Ahmed Taha, Matthew Cudjoe, Ahmed Salman, Basil Khoury, Modestas Vorobjovas.