Gift Orban, Rested In Gent's 2nd Leg Thumping of Zilina in UEFA Europa Qualifier

Gift Orban, Rested In Gent's 2nd Leg Thumping of Zilina in UEFA Europa Qualifier

By Gbenga Gboyega

After opening the scoring in the 5-1 first-leg encounter against Slovakia's Zilina in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, Nigeria's Gift Emmanuel Orban was rested by Gent Coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck in the second-leg 2-5 win, bsnsports.com.ng reports.

The 21-year-old prolific striker wasted no time opening his 2023-24 chapter with goals as he scored his first goal in the European competition's qualifiers when KAA Gent and MSK Zilina met a week ago.

But given the long season ahead, Vanhaezebrouck decided to rest Orban in the return fixture at the Štadión pod Dubňom in Slovakia, after featuring for 73 minutes back home at the Ghelamco Arena in Gent.

The decision did not deter the Belgian-based club from repeating the first-leg feat by scoring another five goals against Zilina for a 2-5 scoreline away from home, setting a 10-3 aggregate scoreline.

The two-legged win for Gent ensures a spot in the semi-finals of the qualifying series to face Poland's Pogon Szczecin, who beat Nothern Ireland's Linfield 8-4 on aggregate in their corner.

Born in the Middle-belt region of Nigeria to a Nigerian father of Benue descent and a Togolese mother, Gift Orban would hope to replicate or surpass his feat last season of 22 goal contributions (20 goals, 2 assists) in 22 games for Gent.