Osher Davida remained confident ahead of the Conference League Play-Off first leg away to FC Lugano.

“That is the beauty of football, sometimes the conditions are like this and sometimes they’re different,” Davida said shortly after arriving at the AIL Arena where the weather conditions in Switzerland are different to the ones in Tel Aviv. “We’re used to the heat in Tel Aviv, and I think the weather here is much better for football. We’re happy that’s the case and we’ll go out there and try to play as well as we can.”

On the mood following last week’s victory in Bulgaria, despite the elimination from the Europa League, he added: “We came very close to completing a comeback against CSKA, and although in the end we didn’t go through, we won 3-1 away from home in a difficult game. We’re coming into this in a good mood. We also won the Toto Cup Semi-Final last Sunday and we’re on a winning run. Hopefully we can continue that tomorrow as well.”

On the in form Swiss opponents and the fact that this is the first of a two legged tie: “Lugano are definitely not an easy team. We have watched and analysed them. They’re a good team, but so are we, and tomorrow we’ll come out and show that. You always know there’s another game the following week and no team goes all-in in the first leg, but in my opinion we need to approach this as a one-off game. We shouldn’t think about the return leg, but instead play the way we know how and win.”

Henry Addo will leave Maccabi Tel Aviv and join C.D. Tondela, following an agreement reached with the Portuguese club for the transfer of the 23-year-old Ghanian forward.

Addo, who spent last season on loan with OFK Belgrade where he scored 2 goals in 16 appearances, joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in February 2024 from Zilina. 

At Maccabi Addo made a total of 31 appearances in all competitions scoring three goals and was part of the team that won 2 Championships, a Toto Cup and Super Cup. Addo also featured in Maccabi’s 24/25 Europa League campaign, scoring two goals in 11 appearances.

Thank you, Henry, for your contribution to Maccabi and best of luck in your future career.

Maccabi will continue its European campaign on Thursday with a trip to Switzerland for the first leg of the Conference League play-off match against Lugano. Ahead of the important match we look at the numbers accompanying Maccabi into the play-off round.

15 out of 18: Maccabi back in the Play-Offs

The play-off round in UEFA’s European competitions was introduced in its current format in the 2009/10 season as the final round before the group stages, and later the league phase, of the various club competitions.

Of the 18 seasons in which the round has been played, Maccabi reached this stage 15 times, including this season.

That is the highest number of appearances among the seven Israeli clubs that have reached the Play-Off round of one of the European competitions.

Prior to this season, Maccabi participated in 14 different Play-Off ties across all three competitions.

The road to the next stage

Maccabi appeared in the Champions League play-off twice with the most memorable one played in the 2015/16 season. A dramatic match at the St Jacobs stadium in Basel saw Maccabi clinch a 2-2 draw in Switzerland before a 1-1 draw in the return leg at Bloomfield secured qualification to the Champions League group stage.

Over the years Maccabi gained a lot of experience in the Europa League Play-offs. On six occasions Maccabi successfully navigated the round and advanced to the group or league phase of the competition. In the 2013/14 season, Maccabi advanced without playing a match after their Ukrainian opponents were expelled from the competition.

On the other hand, Maccabi’s European campaign ended in the Europa League Play-Offs on three occasions: against Paris Saint-Germain (10/11), Asteras Tripolis (14/15), and Sarpsborg (18/19).

What about the Conference League?

This will be Maccabi’s fourth appearance in the Conference League Play-Offs. On the first two occasions, Maccabi successfully advanced, overseeing Shakhter Karagandy (21/22) and Celje (23/24).

The only time Maccabi were eliminated in the Conference League Play-Offs was by French side Nice (22/23).

Zahavi on top, Yeini the appearance record-holder

Twenty-seven Maccabi players managed to score goals during the play-off matches over the years.

Eran Zahavi leads the goalscorers chart, with seven goals in the play-off round, making him Maccabi’s all-time leading scorer at this stage of European competition.

In terms of appearances, former captain Sheran Yeini made 15 appearances in Play-Off matches, more than any other player in Maccabi history.

Of the current squad, Dor Peretz stands out as the 31-year-old is ranked fourth on the club’s all-time appearance list in this stage, with 10 European play-off appearances.

5-1 and six historic minutes

The highest victory in the Play-Off round was recorded two years ago in the Europa league in the 24/25 season. Maccabi beat Serbian side Bačka Topola 5-1 with Henry Addo scoring a brace, while Tyrese Asante, Dor Turgeman and Ido Shahar were also on target. Addo scored the opener of the match that entered the club’s history books as his goal was in the second minute, becoming Maccabi’s fastest-ever goal in European competition.

Four minutes later, Addo doubled his tally to score the fastest brace by a Maccabi player in the club’s history in all competitions.

Facing a Swiss opponent once again

Lugano will be the third Swiss opponent Maccabi have faced in their European history.

To date, Maccabi played eight matches against Swiss clubs, six against Basel and two against Grasshoppers. Maccabi have yet to beat a Swiss opponent, recording five draws and three defeats.

However, one of the most memorable and important ties in the club’s history came against a team from Switzerland.

In the 2015/16 Champions League play-offs, Maccabi drew 2-2 with Basel in Switzerland and 1-1 in the return leg. Those results sent Maccabi through to the Champions League group stage on away goals, a rule that was in effect at the time.

Lugano already familiar with Israeli opposition

For Lugano, facing an Israeli club is not new. The Swiss side previously faced Hapoel Be’ersheva twice in European competition. Lugano faced Be’ersheva in the Europa League group stage (17/18), and once in Conference League qualifying phase (22/23). Be’ersheva won three matches while Lugano won once.

Israel vs. Switzerland

Over the years, Israeli clubs played 16 matches against Swiss opposition, winning 3 matches, drawing 7 and losing 6 with a total goal tally of 21-16 in favor of the Swiss Clubs

On Thursday, Maccabi will look to improve both the Israeli record against Switzerland and, more importantly, take a significant step forward in their 15th European play-off tie on the road to another European campaign.

 

Orel Baye joins Hapoel Kfar Shalem after an agreement was reached between the two clubs for a season-long loan deal of the 22-year-old winger.

Baye, scored one goal in nine appearances at Hapoel Jerusalem, and in the second half of the 2025/26 campaign added five more appearances in the top-flight during a loan to Hapoel Petah Tikva.

Baye will continue his development during the 2026/27 season at Hapoel Kfar Shalem.

Good luck Orel.

Preview

A month after recording a 3-1 victory away to Hapoel Be’ersheva to clinch the Super Cup, Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at Miriam stadium in Netanya for the Toto Cup Semi Final against Maccabi Netanya. On the back of Thursday’s EUROPA League 3rd qualifying round 3-1 victory away to CSKA Sofia which wasn’t enough to see Maccabi through, and four days before the Conference League Playoff away to FC Lugano, a place in the Toto Cup Final is at stake.

Miller made four changes from the side which won in Sofia as Ali Camara was not available through injury while Roy Revivo who was sent off against Be’ersheva was serving a one-match touchline ban. Itai Ben Hamo stepped in to partner Raz Shlomo at the second central defender while Tyrese Asante and Noam Ben Harosh completed Maccabi’s back-line in front of goalkeeper Ofek Melika. Issouf Sisokho and Itamar Noy were named in Maccabi’s engine room with Dor Peretz captaining the side in a more attacking role. Osher Davida who set up two goals in Sofia and Helio Varela who bagged one goal, supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation. Saied Abu Farchi led the line as the 20-year-old forward will continue his goal scoring run of four goals in five matches this season.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Miller named Ester Sokler, Dan Glazer, Noam Schwartz, Shahar Rosen, Hisham Layous, Ido Shahar, Lotem Asres and Ilay Ben Simon.

First Half

Both sides sold their entire ticket allocation a fact which saw the Netanya stadium almost full to it’s capacity. Maccabi began the match on the front foot abd came close to score inside the opening minute as a Helio Varela cut back reached Dor Peretz whose effort was saved by the keeper. Netanya who are dangerous on the break almost punished Maccabi early on as Matheus Davo latched on a Raz Shlomo pass which was blocked and charged forward. The Brazilian striker raced clear through but fired his shot across the face of Ofek Melika’s goal. In the sixth minute Issouf Sissokho was cautioned by referee Aviad Shiloah after he was judged to have raised his foot too high.

Melika gave Miller and GK coach Dean Kiely a scare as he went down clutching his shoulder, but the young keeper recovered. Osher Davida rifled a left foot shot over the crossbar on 15 but two minutes later Maccabi translated its dominance to a well taken goal which came at the end of a team effort. Saied Abu Farchi carved Netanya’s defense open as he released Peretz whose square ball left Varela in front of goal. The Cape Verde winger kept his calm and drilled his shot beyond the reach of of Samu to break the deadlock with his second goal in the last two outings. Itamar Noy almost doubled Maccabi’s lead with an uncharacteristic header as he rose in the box to meet Varela’s cross but guided his header wide of the post. On the stroke of halftime Maor Levy floated a pinpoint cross into the box where Davó was left unmarked but Netanya’s forward sent his header over the crossbar.

Second Half

Miller made one change after the break as he added a fresh pair of legs into the midfield introducing Ido Shahar for Noy at the restart. Netanya increased the pressure to try and level the score as Dolev Haziza and Bassam Zarora tested Melika from outside the box. Miller made a double change on the hour mark as Davida and Abu Farchi both bowed out and were replaced by Ilay Ben Simon and Ester Sokler. Ben Simon could have scored with one of his first touches on 64 but the young midfielder blasted his shot over the crossbar from close range. 

Miller was forced to make another change as Sissokho limped and was replaced by Dan Glazer in the 66th minute. Netanya came close to level the score twice in the space of five minutes as Melika charged off his goal-line to narrow the angle of Davó while Karem Javer fired across the face of goal shortly after. Miller made his fifth and final change as Shahar Rosen came on for Varela who received a standing ovation by the Maccabi fans in the East stand. Rosen almost set up Maccabi’s second with an accurate left foot cross into the path of Sokler but the Slovenian striker couldn’t fully connect and the chance was wasted.

The 20-year-old who was involved in Maccabi’s goal which was scored by Helio Varela said after the match: “The win is very important. Playing for another trophy, and in a derby, makes it even bigger.”
Abu Farchi summed up the hard-fought match and the team’s qualification for the final, sharing his thoughts on the pitch and also addressing his future at the club.
“It’s a very important win for us,” Abu Farchi began after the game. “We reached the final, and that’s a very significant achievement. It’s an opportunity to play for another trophy, and the fact that it will be a derby in the final makes the whole thing even bigger for us and for the club. As for the game itself, I think we played really well in the first half. Our tempo dropped a little in the second half, but as I said, the bottom line is that we got this important victory.”
The young striker who scored four goals in six outings this season, responded to reports linking him with a move to MLS side Colorado Rapids, and whether this had been his final appearance for the club: “I am a Maccabi Tel Aviv player and I’m only focused on Maccabi. As long as I’m here and the team needs me, I’ll do everything and give everything to help my teammates on the pitch.”
Abu Farchi also addressed what is happening behind the scenes: “My agent is handling it with Jack Angelides, Steven Vanharen and the owner Mitch Goldhar, whom I want to thank very much for the opportunity he has given me. I read the reports just like you do, but right now I’m focused solely on Maccabi’s tasks.”
Abu Farchi made it clear that he is fully available to the coaching staff for Thursday’s upcoming European fixture as well: “I want to remind everyone that we already have a game this Thursday, and for now I’m here and I’m playing on Thursday. As I said, I’m a Maccabi Tel Aviv player. I grew up at this club, I truly love this club, and I’ll continue to give everything for it until my very last moment here.”
Finally, the striker sent a warm message to the Maccabi fans who backed the team: “As my final message, I really want to thank our fans from the bottom of my heart. I really hope we can continue to make them happy in the games ahead.”

“It was a very difficult game with a good tempo, especially for this stage of the season,” Kenny Miller began after the win that sent the Yellows through to the Toto Cup final. “We were very good in the first half and got into a lot of good areas where we could have made more of our opportunities. In the second half we came under a lot of pressure, and you could see we were starting to tire towards the end, but we fought hard.”

The coach continued by analysing the nature of the game: “There isn’t only one way to win a football match. Ideally, you play your style, dictate the game and score plenty of goals, but tonight we had to battle through the final 20-25 minutes. The boys stood together as one, defended the goal with their hearts, and we could also have scored another goal on the counter-attack. I’m pleased with the win and the performance, and ultimately, in cup matches, the objective is to get through to the next round.”

Asked about the condition of Issouf Sissoko, who was substituted during the match, the coach offered reassurance: “He’ll be absolutely fine. It was just a precaution.”

Miller also addressed the current state of the squad and the desire to strengthen further during the transfer window: “Everyone at the club knows where we are, and we’re working very hard behind the scenes to help the squad. In every transfer window, everyone wants to strengthen. We’ve brought in a few players so far, and we need to bring in at least two more. We’re working hard to give the players in that dressing room some more help.”

On the future of Saied Abu Farchi and his performance tonight, he said: “It could be his last game, but that decision will be made by people above me. He’s a fantastic player with a big future. He loves the club and wants to represent it, and that says a lot about his character. If the move happens, he’ll train and play right up until the very last minute, so I had no doubts about playing him tonight.”

Finally, the coach was already looking ahead to the important meeting with Lugano this coming Thursday: “It will be a difficult game, but we’ll prepare and we’ll be ready. We have three days to recover. When you’re at a big club, you want to be playing European football, and that means you have to deal with a busy schedule like this. It only reinforces the fact that we want to bring in more help for the squad.”