Gift Orban To Lead Gent Into Record Semi-Final Qualification

Gift Orban To Lead Gent Into Record Semi-Final Qualification

By Gbenga Gboyega

Nineteen goals and seven assists in 24 games for Stabæk Football in the Norwegian Second-tier - OBOS-ligaen was enough to catch the attention of Belgian side Gent to make a €3.3m move on Gift Orban in the 2023 winter transfer window, writes BSNSports.com.ng.

Bagging fourteen goals in as many games thus far in 2023 has paid due dividends for Gent positively, as Orban's form gets better by the day. 

Scoring five goals in Europe so far in the Conference League will spark confidence in Orban and his team going into Thursday night's quarter-final clash away to West Ham in the Conference League, with eyes on a spot amongst the final four. 

Gent's best place finish on the continent was a Round of 16 finish last season in the Conference League, and a semi-final qualification will be a record-breaking 'Gift' for the Belgian faithful. 

The 20-year-old already holds the record for the fastest-ever European hat trick, scoring three goals in merely 205 seconds (3 minutes, 25 seconds) against Istanbul Baá¹£eká¹£ehjr in Turkey according to IndianExpress.com, drawing the attention of talent acquisition managers and technical staff. 

According to reports from The Athletic, around 40 to 50 scouts were in attendance to watch the young striker during the first leg against West Ham last week at the Ghelamco Arena stadium, placing him within strong competition and contention among admirers when the summer transfer window opens in June.

Gent will play West Ham at 20:00 Hours (8 pm) Nigerian time tonight at the London Stadium with a 1-all draw as the aggregate scoreline as it stands.