Power struggle gathers pace

By Ofer Ronen-Abels

Having won four championships in five years, Maccabi Haifa FC's dominance of Israeli football is set to face a major challenge from Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC next season.

Centenary hopes
The Tel-Aviv team are keen to celebrate their centenary in 2006 with a title after a disappointing eighth-placed finish last term. This brought coach Nir Klinger severe criticism, with many supporters still upset by his decision to force Avi Nimny out of the club two years ago.

Supporters unhappy
A fans' boycott reduced attendances to an all-time low in 2004/05, perhaps prompting the board's decision to re-sign Nimny from Beitar Jerusalem FC. Klinger's squad has also been strengthened by the signings of Eyal Berkovic, Giovanni Rosso, Blessing Kaku, José Duarte, Avi Yechiel and Erez Eliav.

Dego departing
With all those arrivals, it seems likely that midfielder Barukh Dego, who impressed in the UEFA Champions League last season, will leave Maccabi for city rivals Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC. Hapoel recently appointed coach Dror Kashtan for his third spell in charge.

Haifa hope
After a ninth-placed finish, a new chairman - Moni Harel - is hoping to restore Hapoel Haifa FC's pride. They have reinforced with the additions of Walid Badier and Elyaniv Barda from Maccabi Haifa while a contractual dispute is delaying Gil Vermovtu's arrival from relegated Hapoel Haifa FC.

Impasse
Meanwhile, Maccabi Haifa are preparing for the Champions League, with a qualifying round tie against Sweden's Malmö FF looming. However, negotiations to sign Adoram Keise, Klemi Saban and Shlomi Harbitman from Hapoel Petach-Tikva FC have hit an impasse.

Alberman leaves
Last season's runners-up Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC have let Gal Alberman leave for Spain's CD Tenerife while Beitar have made up for the loss of Nimny by landing Yoav Ziv from Hapoel Nazareth FC but are currently being prevented from signing Hapoel Haifa's Congolese duo Jeff Totuanah and Mezuah N'sombo.

Newcomers prepare
Promoted Hapoel Kfar-Saba FC have geared up for life in the top flight by recruiting Carlos Chakana from Hapoel Ashkelon FC, Imanuel Papue from FC Ashdod, Elad Boonfeld from Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Netanya FC's leading scorer Oren Nissim.