Ashley Cupido nets brace on league debut abroad

South African striker Ashley Cupido scored a brace as his new club Kiryat Yam thrashed Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa 6-2 in the first game of the 2026/27 Leumit League campaign on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old centre-forward netted his first goal in the 14th minute to give his side a 2-0 lead, before completing his brace in first-half stoppage time, making it 3-1 in his team's favour.

His new employers, as a result, powered to the summit of the Israeli second tier standings by virtue of a superior goal difference, with the new season gathering steam.

Notably, Cupido also scored a brace in a 3-1 win over Maccabi Bnei Reineh in the Israeli Toto Cup Leumit earlier this month, with his latest exploits making it four goals in three games across all competitions.

He is currently on a season-long loan from Betway Premiership side Stellenbosch FC after an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign, where he scored a solitary goal with two assists in 38 outings.

The former Cape Town Spurs talisman, however, impressed in his debut season at Stellies, contributing to five goals and three assists in 39 matches, with nine of the appearances coming in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Cupido was the subject of revived interest from Tanzanian giants Simba SC, now coached by Steve Barker, before completing a move to Israel but no deal materialized.

With the player appearing to rediscover his form in front of goals, it remains to be seen whether he will maintain his eye-catching performances throughout the season as Kiryat Yam look to secure promotion to the topflight.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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