Maccabi Tel Aviv FC would like to express its deepest condolences on the loss of Mei Nimni z”l one of the Club’s great form the 1970’s. Nimni passed away last night after a battle with cancer.
In memory of Nimni we encourage fans and friends to learn more about one of the Yellow & Blue’s finest by reading about his life and times below.
Meir Nimni – z”l – 1948-2017
Maccabi Tel Aviv featured some terrific defensive midfielders that were at the top of Israeli football. One of them was no doubt Meir Nimni who joined the Yellow & Blue in 1968/69 at the age of 21 from Beitar Ramle and made his debut against Beitar Jerusalem that same campaign.
Nimni became a rock in the middle of the Maccabi Tel Aviv midfield and earned a spot in the Starting XI becoming one of the fan favorites. He scored his first goal in a 3:0 win over Hapoel Jerusalem and found the back of the goal once again on the final Matchday of the season against Shimshon Tel Aviv. Nimni also took part in one of the Club’s most historical moments when they captured the Asia Cup as he played in all of the matches including the 1:0 win over Yangzee FC from South Korea.
In his second season, Nimni continued to collect titles and took home the Double while appearing in 27 contests including the 5:0 Derby win over Hapoel Tel Aviv in 1970.
Nimni was known as a versatile player who was able to adapt himself to any role that he needed to play on the pitch while doing so with a considerable amount of talent. Over the course of 13 season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Nimni scored 27 goals, won four league titles, captured two Asia Cups as well as two State Cups.
Honors & Titles
League Championships: 1969/70, 1971/72, 1976/77, 1978/79
State Cups: 1969/70, 1976/77
Asia Cups: 1968/69, 1970/71
Outstanding Match:
One of the most amazing matches that Meir Nimni took part of was undoubtedly the 1970 Derby when Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 5:0. Nimni was a very important member of the squad and was in the Starting XI for this historic contest – January 1, 1970.
