John Ogu Sets Sights on Israeli League Opener After Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s UCL Triumph

Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s John Ogu has swiftly shifted focus to the upcoming Israeli Ligat ha’Al opener against Maccabi Netanya, following the team’s impressive 2-1 home victory over Maribor in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs. The Nigerian midfielder expressed his dedication to further improvement, acknowledging the crucial support from the fans during the pivotal match.

The Israeli champions commenced their UCL playoff journey with remarkable vigor, with goals from Anthony Nwakaeme and a penalty kick from Shir Tzedek in the first half, effectively neutralizing Marcos Tavares’ early 10th-minute opener for Maribor.

Ogu, 29, conveyed his determination via Twitter, stating, “Work continues. We will keep working hard to improve. Onto the League starting on Saturday. Thanks to our fans last night for the support.”

Additionally, Ogu exudes confidence in Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s prospects in the UEFA Champions League, expressing optimism about breaking the pattern of not advancing to the group stages. The team is set to face Slovenian side Maribor once again in the return leg on August 22nd, with the Camels holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg.

Last season, Hapoel Be’er Sheva narrowly missed out on a place in the group stages, falling 5-4 on aggregate to Celtic. With the current advantage, Ogu and his teammates are poised to secure a coveted spot in the prestigious competition, marking a potential milestone in their UCL journey.