‘Took a big hit’ – Gent boss Vanhaezebrouck gives update on Gift Orban’s injury

Gent manager, Hein Vanhaezebrouck has admitted Nigerian striker, Gift Orban is a huge doubt for their Europa Conference League clash against Zorya Luhansk, Soccernet.ng reports.

The twenty-one-year-old picked up an injury during Gent’s game against Oud-Heverlee Leuven and had to be taken off after sixty-eight minutes in their League game.

Despite picking up the injury, the Nigerian was named in Gent’s squad list to face Zorya on Thursday, but the coach has clarified the situation.

Speaking to Nieuwsblad in the press conference ahead of the Conference League game, the coach said; “Gift took a big hit on Sunday in Leuven, just outside the box, and the referee didn’t even blow for a foul. He could have continued to play after getting treatment, but his leg was quite swollen.”

Vanhaezebrouck added that Orban had made progress, but is still not at his peak levels of fitness, yet, as he still feels pain in his leg.

“The swelling has now gone down a bit, but the pain is still there. Gift trained a bit separately today but it doesn’t look too rosy for tomorrow.”

Orban was invited by Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro to Nigeria’s AFCON qualifying game against São Tomé and Príncipe on September 10, but couldn’t feature due to an injury. The Super Eagles won the game, 6-0.