Glory Ogbonna Signs for Hapoel Kiryat Gat Ahead of UWCL Campaign

Super Falcons defender Glory Ogbonna has officially signed with Israeli champions Hapoel Kiryat Gat, following the successful completion of her medicals. The move marks a new chapter in her career, coming after her exit from Turkish club Beşiktaş.

Ogbonna, who previously played in Sweden, Spain, and Turkey, brings experience and versatility to the Israeli giants, who are set to compete in the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Champions League. Her addition is expected to bolster the team’s defensive stability ahead of the continental challenge.

Hapoel Kiryat Gat will enter the Champions League playoff stage this Saturday, and Ogbonna is anticipated to be part of the matchday squad. The club is banking on her international pedigree to navigate through the qualifying rounds and secure a place in the group stage.

The 25 year old defender is also expected to benefit from this move, as the level of competition in Europe’s top women’s tournament provides an opportunity to further elevate her profile and sharpen her game ahead of upcoming national team duties.

Ogbonna, who has been a steady presence in the Super Falcons setup, joins the growing list of Nigerian players making strategic moves abroad to sustain form and improve their international prospects.

Editorial

We welcome Glory Ogbonna’s move to Hapoel Kiryat Gat as a smart and progressive decision one that aligns perfectly with the rising momentum of women’s football in Nigeria. After solid stints across Europe, this next step places her in a team with Champions League ambitions, offering a platform for further growth and visibility.

The Super Falcons continue to be Africa’s gold standard, and it’s encouraging to see players like Ogbonna making bold decisions that prioritise both personal development and tactical refinement. Playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League is no small feat; it demands mental agility, physical discipline, and exceptional adaptability all traits she has demonstrated in her career so far.

Moves like this also send a strong message back home: Nigerian women can thrive at the highest levels when given the chance. Ogbonna’s move may not have the glitz of the English Women’s Super League or Spain’s Liga F, but it is strategic. Hapoel Kiryat Gat are serial winners in Israel and are building a squad with continental ambition.

We must continue to support our exports not just when they make headlines, but also when they make the sort of quietly calculated decisions that ensure longevity and impact. Ogbonna will be tested on new terrain, but we believe she will not only hold her own she’ll lead.

Did You Know?

1. Hapoel Kiryat Gat won the Israeli Ligat Nashim title in the 2024/25 season, securing a spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
2. Glory Ogbonna has previously played for ALG Spor and Beşiktaş, both Turkish top-tier teams, and competed in the UEFA Women’s Champions League during her time with ALG Spor.
3. She was part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the Super Falcons reached the Round of 16.
4. Hapoel Kiryat Gat’s women’s team is one of the most dominant in Israel, having won multiple league titles and State Cups over the past five years.
5. Ogbonna also had a brief stint in Sweden’s Elitettan with Umeå IK before moving to Spain’s Santa Teresa.