'I don't deserve to sit on the bench' - Gift Orban sends message to KAA Gent coach
Published: April 29, 2023
KAA Gent striker Gift Orban has expressed his displeasure over being named on the bench in Gent's 3-1 win over KVC Westerlo on Friday.
Orban had a blistering start in his career at Gent, having scored 14 goals in twelve games, but has struggled in front of goal in recent weeks, failing to score in five games in a row for the Buffaloes before the visit of KVC Westerlo.
The 20-year-old was left on the bench for 76 minutes by Gent manager boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck with Moroccan forward Tarik Tissoudali preferred over him in a 3-5-2 formation.
He came on for Tissoudali and scored Gent's third goal after he was teed up by his strike partner, Hugo Cuypers.
Orban's fury was evident as he headed straight to the dressing room instead of appreciating the fans with his teammates after the encounter.
"That I started on the bench? A decision by the coach," Orban told Het Laatste Nieuws.
"I still feel in top shape. And it's not because I didn't score in the past games that I didn't help the team, right? I did nothing wrong.
"Honestly? I don't think I deserve to sit on the bench. I am a player who has to grow in a match from the start. That's when I'm at my best."
Orban has now netted 15 goals and registered 2 assists in 17 games for the Belgian outfit and would now be hoping he has convinced his manager that he deserves to start the next game against Standard Liege next week Saturday.
Abdulkareem Abdulhamid
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