Gift Orban rescues a point for Gent against Sint-Truiden

Gift Orban rescues a point for Gent against Sint-Truiden
Credit: Icon Sport

Super Eagles prospects Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha came clutch for KAA Gent in their matchday 4 clash against Sint-Truiden in the Belgium league.

It was a tense match for fans of the Buffalos who watched as the visitors took the lead twice in their home before Orban and Torunarigha stepped up to the plate to rescue a point.

Gent is currently second on the table after the draw but manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck will be thankful to 26-year-old defender Torunarigha but especially to Tottenham Hotspur-linked Gift Orban for kickstarting the comeback that earned them a point from a tough outing.

Gift Orban opens scoring; Torunarigha equalises to save Vanhaezebrouck’s blushes

KAA Gent has been flying high this season thanks to the brilliant attacking partnership of Hugo Cuypers and Gift Orban.

The Belgian forward has played in all eight games across the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying and the Belgium league that Gent has been involved in for the 2023/24 season so far and has scored 10 goals. Orban, meanwhile, has appeared in six games across both competitions, scoring six goals in the process.

Their blistering start to the season saw Gent shoot straight to the top of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League table after three games but Sint-Truiden, who are in mid-table, came determined to take all three points from the Ghelamco Arena.

Sint-Truiden went up by a goal in the seventh minute and before the 15th minute, they were already two goals up. Vanhaezebrouck was left confused but his players continued to push as the Arteveldestadion cheered them on.

Gift Orban would send the crowd into a frenzy when he had the ball in the back of the net from a half-chance in the 35th minute. The goal woke Gent up but they missed the chance to equalise before halftime.

Vanhaezebrouck brought in Jordan Torunarigha in the second half and the defender, who is looking to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying squad for Nigeria next year, fired a rocket into the visitors’ net to finally equalise for Gent in the 58th minute.

Gent would continue to spurn chances, with Orban missing a few himself, leaving Sint-Truiden with a point to return home.

Gift Orban close to Gent exit

KAA Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck is happy to have Gift Orban on his side but has shown traits of detachment from the player in the last few weeks.

This is because of the increasing Orban to Tottenham Hotspur links that are swirling around in the media. The Belgian manager is reportedly gearing up for a season without Orban but is happy to use him until the 1 September 2023 summer transfer deadline approaches.

He will be in a celebratory mood after Gift Orban and Torunarigha rescued a point for his team on Sunday but he will be worried about comments from journalist Dean Jones about the links.

Jones was speaking to the Ranks FC Ultras podcast when he stated that Orban is satisfied with Spurs’ offer to him and is willing to join the North London side this summer.

“I expected progress to be made yesterday on that for Tottenham, but I’m not sure it was,” Jones said. “That doesn’t look brilliant, but they were first on the scene and they are the most interested.

“He is convinced of the personal package they have put in front of him, so that is going to be fine, it’s just about agreeing a deal with Gent, so let’s see what happens there.”

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Daniel Kolade
All-round lover of the beautiful game. Massive football fan, supported Arsenal for decades for reasons that are unexplainable. One day we will win the Champions League!
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