Four minutes into the encounter, however, they took the lead courtesy of Guyana international Emery Welshman.
Their advantage was doubled through Nigerian winger Osuji in the ninth minute as he converted from the penalty spot. That was the 25-year-old’s first goal for the Israeli outfit since he joined them from Slovenian side Nova Gorica.
Umm al-Fahm had their opportunities but their attacking forays met strong resistance from the hosts’ defenders.
A minute into the second half, Olawale extended the lead for Shavit’s men. After controlling a pass from a teammate, the 18-year-old scooted through the visitors’ backline before sending the ball past goalkeeper Tomer Livitanov.
Eleven minutes into the game, Olawale put his team ahead. Profiting from an Itay Katzay interception, the youngster beat his markers before unleashing a long-range shot past goalkeeper Yossi Ginzburg.
This is the first of my two goals few hours #Rananapic.twitter.com/lf8UJ81htJ Peter Olawale (@peterolawale07) April 27, 2021
However, the lead lasted for just two minutes as the visitors equalised courtesy of Guy Dahan -who fired Roy Hacker’s cross past goalkeeper Niv Antman.
On the stroke of half-time, the hosts were reduced to ten men after Katzay was given the marching orders for a second caution following a dangerous tackle on Sahar Skai.
Despite their failed bid to return to top-flight football, the 18-year-old’s stay at the Karnei Oren Memorial Field was made permanent until 2025.
הפועל רעננה שמחה להודיע על רכישתו של החלוץ הניגרי בן ה-18 פיטר אולוולה מקבוצתו הניגרית tripple 44 והחתמתו לארבע השנים הקרובות. pic.twitter.com/uzDw2XVSPZ FC Hapoel-Ra anana (@HapoelRaananaFC) April 20, 2021
The club’s Chief Executive Officer explains to Goal why the Nigeria U20 star was purchased outrightly from Tripple 44 Academy.
“When we brought Olawale to Israel, the problem was that we had three foreigners already in the squad,” Cooper explains to
Goal.
“And in the second-tier, you can play only just three foreigners. So, we waited until January when we could release one foreigner to give him the space to see what he could offer.
The Nigerian became an instant hit for Eldad Shavit’s men – scoring four times in eight league starts.
However, he was offered the chance to extend his stay at the Karnei Oren Memorial Field, but his parent club has instead opted to seek a new challenge away from Israel.
“I can tell you authoritatively that Olawale will be leaving Hapoel Ra’anana at the end of the season,” his manager and Tripple 44 Academy boss Samuel Olatunji-Okuku told
Goal.
“He joined the Israeli team on a one-year loan from Tripple 44 Academy with an option to buy. Along the line, we mutually agreed to cancel that option to buy.
In the four-goal thriller at the Lod Municipal Stadium, Guyana international Emery Welshman gave the visitors a second-minute lead from the penalty spot after Olawale was brought down in the goal area by one of Qasim’s defenders.
The lead lasted for just eight minutes as Mohammed Khatib levelled matters for Aviram Matmon’s side thanks to an assist from midfielder Roy Dayan.
Despite impressive attacking moves from both teams, the first-half ended one goal apiece.
Like a house on fire, the hosts commenced the second-half on a lively note but they were unable to get past goalkeeper Niv Antman who put up a commendable showing.