OYOGist.com has learned that Nigeria forward, Michael Olaha, is back to scoring ways after overcoming culture shock in Israel. The 23-year-old former Abia Warriors player has weighed in with three goals for Liga Leumit newcomers, Hapoel Kfar Shalem, where he currently tops the scorers chart after eight matches into the new season.
He was among the goals in their 1-1 draw at Kafr Qasim on 13 November and earlier hit the target in 2-1 home loss to Hapoel Iksal on 6 November and 3-1 defeat at home to Hapoel Ramat Gan in September.
In a recent chat to yours sincerely, the left-footed winger expressed his desire to finish the campaign with appreciable number of goals, to enable him secure a bigger contract in mainstream Europe, a cause not helped by his club’s poor run.
He said: “I am happy to have scored three goals for Hapoel Kfar Shalem and I look forward to scoring more goals before season’s end. They are a small club, who just gained promotion to the second division.”
“I tried as hard as I could, but the goals were not coming at Hapoel Tel Aviv because I was trying to adjust to life in Israel and the coach’s playing pattern. I had to cancel my contract with them and joined my current club in July, who are not faring well, but I hope to help their cause with goals and possibly return to Vietnam, where some clubs have started talking with me.”
“The goals are coming now because I have adjusted to life in Israel. I hope I can help my club escape relegation at the end of season.”
Olaha joined Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2019 on a four-year contract, failing to find back of the net in 15 matches of nine starts, following eventful and fruitful two and a half years at Vietnamese side Sông Lam Nghệ An.
Hapoel TA H Kfar Shalem were promoted to the Israeli second tier after emerging champions of the 2019–20 Liga Alef South. They are without a win in first eight fixtures of the season, which leaves them at the bottom of the Liga Leumit standings with three points from as many drawn games.
One of the most enterprising wingers waiting to break into the Nigeria set-up, Olaha signed his first professional contract with NIgeria Professional Football League side, Abia Warriors in 2015 from New Generation Academy.
