'His ankle was considerably swollen' - Gent coach admits Gift Orban is doubtful for UECL opener
Published: September 20, 2023KAA Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck is sweating over the fitness of Gift Orban ahead of his side's UEFA Europa Conference League opener against Zorya Luhansk in Poland on Thursday evening.
Orban could not make his Super Eagles debut against São Tomé and Príncipe on September 10 after sustaining a minor injury in the penultimate training session before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
He recovered in time to be named in Gent's starting lineup for their league game with Oud-Heverlee Leuven on Sunday but had to leave the pitch midway through the second half after suffering an injury.
Orban was named in Gent's 21-man squad that traveled to Lubin on Tuesday despite uncertainty over his availability.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Vanhaezebrouck provided an update on Orban's fitness .
In quotes relayed by Het Nieuwsblad, Vanhaezebrouck said: "Gift took a big hit on Sunday in Leuven, just outside the box. That violation was not even punished with a foul.
"Gift was able to continue playing after treatment, but his ankle was considerably swollen afterwards.
"The swelling has now gone down a bit, but the pain is still there. Gift will train a bit separately today but it doesn't look too rosy for tomorrow."
Vanhaezebrouck went on to explain that 2023 Nigeria's Olympic national team invitee Goodluck Igbokwe has climbed up the pecking order of attackers owing to the injury suffered by his compatriot, Orban.
"We have three strikers in our first team, so if one drops out you still have two and then you have to draw from the Jong Gent reservoir.
"Goodluck is currently the best striker at Jong Gent and then it makes sense that we take him with us."
Igbokwe, 21, has impressed for Jong Gent in the Eerste Nationale (equivalent of the third tier of Belgian football), scoring 14 goals in 34 matches since joining the club.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- 'That's why we had to take him off' - Rangers boss confirms Leon Balogun has suffered an injury
- Chuba Akpom comments on his future with Ajax amid Nottingham Forest and Fulham interest
- Nigerian exports: Akpom, Boniface, Madueke strike; Adewoye, Oluwaseyi goals help RKC, MNUFC set club records
- Akor Adams: Turkish giants Besiktas have zero chance of signing Montpellier striker this summer
- U17 EURO: Arsenal midfielder Junaid emulates former Young Lionesses forward Ashleigh Plumptre
- Manchester Unted's Nigerian striker agrees move to West Ham on scholarship deal
- Transfer guru confirms Man Utd interest in ex-Super Eagles invitee with release clause of N104b
- 'Felt this could have been my season' - Chelsea midfielder Chukwuemeka reflects on injury woes
- Super Eagles winger Chukwueze gets vote of confidence from former AC Milan goalkeeper
- Morak FC chief backs Golden Eaglets to qualify for World Cup despite 2-0 loss to his team
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football