Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu is setting his sights on securing a third Israeli league title with Hapoel Beer Sheva as the Israeli Championship play-off round commences this weekend. The top six teams from the regular season are set to compete for honors, engaging in a series of matches where each team will play against the others twice. The team finishing first in the standings at the end of this round will be crowned the Israeli Champion and gain qualification for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, the runners-up and the third-place teams will secure berths in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
Hapoel Beer Sheva, under Ogu’s influence, is prepared to face Bnei Yehuda in their inaugural game of the Championship play-off round on Sunday. Ogu, who celebrated Israeli league triumphs in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons with Hapoel Beer Sheva, acknowledges the challenges posed by the current season, where his team secured the regular-season title by a slim one-point margin.
Reflecting on the upcoming playoffs, Ogu stated, “This season has been very tough, and I think the same thing will apply to the playoffs. I’m looking forward to it because it comes with a chance of winning another title. It’s not going to be easy, but I believe we can achieve something special.”
Joining Nigeria’s 28-man squad for the forthcoming international friendlies against Poland and Serbia, Ogu is expected to link up with his teammates on Monday in Wroclaw, Poland.
