Maccabi increase their options
Monday, August 30, 2004
Article summary
Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC have signed Emile Mbamba from SBV Vitesse and Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC's Elad Bounfald.
Article body
Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC have made two signings ahead of their UEFA Champions League group stage debut.
Vitesse signing
Last season's Israeli Premier League runners-up have taken Emile Mbamba from SBV Vitesse on a one-year deal. The 21-year-old Cameroonian-born striker joined the Dutch side in 2001 but has only recently recovered from a bout of malaria picked up during a holiday in Africa.
Bounfald arrives
Meanwhile, Maccabi have paid league rivals Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC €58,000 for the services of 24-year-old midfield player Elad Bounfald. The pair will be eligible for Maccabi's opening Group C fixture against FC Bayern München on 15 September, with fixtures also to come against Juventus FC and AFC Ajax for a side that beat HJK Helsinki and PAOK FC in the qualifying rounds without conceding a goal.
