A Maccabi Netanya player has leapt to the defense of Olarenwaju Kayode after he was heavily criticized over his failure to convert two chances in The Diamonds clash with Bnei Sakhnin on Saturday.

Maccabi Netanya were eyeing to retain seventh position in the Premier League, but their 3 - 2 loss to Bnei Sakhnin saw them lose a position in the standings, which did not go down well with several stakeholders.

“Anyone who speaks against Kayode probably does it out of jealousy or envy, or just evil.

“Olarenwaju gives everything for the team at any time and there are games where he goes a little more and sometimes a little less,” an unnamed teammate was quoted as saying by one.co.il.

This season, Olarenwaju Kayode is Maccabi Netanya’s leading marksman, having scored 11 goals in 27 matches.

The former Flying Eagles star is being linked with a departure from The Diamonds in the summer transfer window.