Belgian giants, KAA Gent have continued their European journey after they steamrolled through MSK Zilina in the last round of UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying.
On Thursday evening, Gent traveled to Slovakia where they faced Zilina at the Stadion Pod Dubnom, Sportová Zilina. They were heading into the second leg of the tie with one foot in the next round after a resounding 5-1 victory in Belgium. Talented Nigerian striker, Gift Orban scored in that match.
The second leg went in the same vein as the first with Gent scoring five goals over the course of the match.
Andrew Hjulsager opened the scoring after half an hour in the first half but it was not until the second half that the floodgates opened.
Two goals coming from Hugo Cuypers as well as a goal from Pieter Gerkens and Tarik Tissoualdi came in the second half as they routed their opposition. Although Zilina scored two goals through Henry Addo and Krisztian Bari, their fates were most likely already sealed by the end of the first leg.
In the end, it was a very easy outing for the Belgian giants as they were even able to rest Gift Orban for the second leg and still got a very comfortable win.
FT 2-5 | Job done! In de volgende ronde nemen we het op tegen Pogoń Szczecin uit Polen 💪 #zilgnt #UECL pic.twitter.com/e8nCQGsLk2
— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) August 3, 2023
With the next round of Conference League qualifying secured for the future, Gift Orban and Gent will be looking ahead to their next match which takes place this Sunday against KV Mechelen in the Jupiler Pro League.
It will be the second match of the new Pro League season and Gent will be looking to get a victory which will keep their 100% record to start the season.
The first league match for Gent this season was a 3-2 win over Kortrijk. With five goals in the match, it was a fun game for neutrals but Gent were the better and none other than Gift Orban scored the winning goal for his team.
Melechen will be looking to get their first win of the campaign after a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in their previous Pro League match. A win against Gent will kick off their season.
Will Orban remain at Gent after the summer window?
Against Mechelen on Sunday, Orban will be expected to come up with the goods once again as his team looks to secure their second win of the season but one of the major questions around him is whether he will be at Gent much longer.
A lot of Nigerian players have been linked with and have made big moves across Europe like Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze sealing moves to bigger clubs in this transfer window. Gift Orban is one of Europe's hottest young center forward talents and a lot of teams across the continent, like Tottenham Hotspur, want to sign the player.
🚨| #Tottenham have made contact with Gift Orban's entourage for a potential transfer.@Nieuwsblad_be pic.twitter.com/McWTSkxoM7
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) August 1, 2023
He has dreamed of playing in the Premier League and the potential exit of Spurs club captain, Harry Kane may open the door for his dream to come true.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
