Gift Orban, illuminated the pitch as he led Belgian club KAA Gent to a resounding 5-0 triumph over Polish contenders Pogon Szczecin in the Europa Conference League third qualifying round first-leg encounter at their home turf.
Orban’s virtuoso performance left the fans in awe, as he found the back of the net three times, securing his very own hat-trick.
The opening two goals came in quick succession, in the 13th and 35th minutes, showcasing Orban’s clinical finishing and attacking prowess. Not to be outdone, team captain Hugo Cuypers chipped in with two goals of his own, contributing to Gent’s four-goal onslaught in the first half alone.
The young Nigerian prodigy wasn’t done yet, as he added to his tally in the 64th minute with yet another impeccable finish, underlining his consistent and formidable presence on the field.
This impressive feat follows his impressive record from the previous season, where Orban bagged 15 goals from 16 Belgian league games and an additional five goals from six appearances in the Europa Conference League.
The match also spotlighted other notable players, including Jordan Torunarigha, who recently completed his switch from Germany to Nigeria.
Torunarigha, an exciting addition to the Nigerian squad, showed promise on the field but was shown a yellow card in the 41st minute. Additionally, Brian Agbor made a late cameo appearance, replacing the sensational Orban in the 89th minute.
Gent’s dominant performance isn’t an isolated incident, as the team has consistently displayed their attacking prowess throughout the Europa Conference League qualifying round.
Scoring five goals in each of their last three matches, including a commanding victory over Slovakian side Zilina, KAA Gent has firmly established their dominance in the competition.
With Orban’s scintillating hat-trick and the team’s remarkable form, KAA Gent’s journey in the Europa Conference League is one to watch closely, as they continue to dazzle football enthusiasts and leave their mark on the tournament.
