Yahaya Seidu Clinches Israel League Title With Maccabi Haifa

Maccabi Haifa midfielder Yahaya Seidu has become the second Ghanaian to win the league title in Europe this season after his club clinched the Israeli league title last night. Maccabi Haifa won the Israeli league title with a game to spare after beating Hapoel Kiryat Shmona 2-0 Monday night, a result that put them six points clear of Hapoel Tel Aviv.bThe influential midfielder joins Kevin Prince Boateng of AC Milan as the two Ghanaians to win the league title in Europe this term. Seidu has been one of the key players for Haifa as they conquered the league which has many Ghanaian players. The victory means he will play in the Uefa Champions League next season. Haifa�s steady form in the 16-team Premier League secured a 12th title for the club from Israel�s northern port city who along with Hapoel have consistently been one the country�s top sides over the past three decades. Compared with previous championships when they totally dominated their opponents, Haifa did not always produce sparkling performances this season but no other team could match their consistency. A capacity 15,000 crowd at Haifa�s Kiryat Eliezer Stadium cheered the victory and witnessed a fireworks display from their seats, refraining from the pitch invasions that have been a regular feature of championship celebrations in recent years. Haifa needed one point to secure the title and, after a lacklustre first half, attacking midfielder Lior Refaelov scored with a 63rd-minute penalty and struck again 10 minutes later. Haifa can complete the double when they play Hapoel Tel Aviv in the State Cup final next week, a first-ever meeting between the sides in the competition. Haifa, Israel�s first representatives in the Champions League group stages in 2002, will play in the latter stages of the competition�s qualifying rounds aiming to reach the group stage for the third time. Seidu has been one of the top Ghanaian performers in Europe this season but has not been given the chance to play in any of the national teams.