Ghana winger Samuel Owusu has helped Maccabi Petah Tikva secure promotion back to the Israeli Premier League with a game to spare in the 2025–26 season.
Owusu has been one of the standout performers for the Blue and Whites this campaign, and he was at his usual best in Wednesday’s 2-2 home draw against Bnei Yehuda FC in the Championship round at HaMoshava Stadium.
The 30-year-old joined the club before the start of the season after ending his spell with Serbian top-flight side OFK Beograd. He hit the ground running and quickly became the creative engine in Petah Tikva’s push for promotion.
The hosts fell behind to Eyal Inbrum’s 27th-minute opener, but two quick second-half goals from Dani Amer and Matan Levy in the 47th and 51st minutes gave Bnei Yehuda a 2-1 lead.
Maccabi Petah Tikva responded through Franck Rivollier, who leveled in the 54th minute and sealed the point that confirmed their return to the top flight.
Owusu has been instrumental throughout the run-in, finishing the season with double-digit goal contributions. The former Al-Ahli forward registered 4 goals and 11 assists in 35 league appearances in his debut season, and added another goal in the Cup games.
His consistency and experience proved crucial for a side that needed both goals and composure in tight games. Comfortable drifting inside from the right and linking play in the final third, Owusu has shown he still has the pace, delivery, and decision-making that made him a regular in Europe and Asia.
He has featured for clubs including Genclerbirligi Ankara, FK Cukaricki, FK Radnik Surdulica, OFK Beograd, Al Fayha, and Al-Ahli SFC, giving him a well-rounded understanding of different leagues and playing styles. That exposure has sharpened his game management, and this season he’s used it to carry games when Maccabi needed a spark.
Owusu is now firmly in the conversation for Ghana’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup, which coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to announce later this month.
Why Owusu deserves a look for the Black Stars
Ghana’s attack has lacked a reliable wide player who can both create and finish in transition. Owusu brings exactly that. His 11 assists this season show he can pick a pass under pressure, and his 4 goals prove he’s not afraid to take responsibility in the box. For a national team that often struggles to break low blocks, that mix of delivery and directness matters.
He also brings tournament-tested composure. At 30, Owusu isn’t a project anymore. He’s played in Turkey, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, and he understands how to manage games when the stakes are high. That experience is exactly what you want off the bench in a World Cup group stage where one moment decides everything.
Finally, form and fitness are on his side. He’s played 35 league games without major injury and has been consistent from August to May. With Ghana looking to blend youth with proven performers, Owusu offers a low-risk, high-reward option who can change a game in 20 minutes. If Queiroz wants a winger who can stretch defenses and deliver a final ball, Owusu has earned his shot.
