Gift Orban named Europa Conference League POTW for the second time in 2023

KAA Gent marksman Gift Orban has been voted the UEFA Europa Conference League Player of the Week following his brilliant performance against Breidablik Kópavogur on matchday four. 

The 21-year-old saw off competition from Jason Svanþórsson, Dor Peretz and Faris Moumbagna who bagged two goals apiece for Breiðablik, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Bodø/Glimt respectively.

The 2023 Super Eagles invitee was the star of the show as Gent overturned a one-goal deficit to beat their Icelandic opponents 3-2 at Laugardalsvöllur (Reykjavík).

Orban netted a perfect hat-trick - header, right foot, left foot -  to inspire the Buffalo's to their third consecutive win in the group stage and put them on the brink of advancing to the round of 16 as Group B winners.

The game did not start well for the Icelandic team as Orban headed Gent in front in the sixth minute but Jason Daði Svanþórsson equalized for Breidablik Kópavogur in the 16th minute before putting them ahead two minutes later. 

Orban tied the game from the penalty spot in the 54th minute and proved to be Gent's hero with 21 minutes left on the clock when he bagged the game-winning goal. 

This is the second time in 2023 that Orban has won the UEFA Europa Conference League Player of the Week after bagging a hat-trick in an away game.

Orban was named Player of the Week for the round of 16 second legs in March 2023 after a sensational hat-trick against İstanbul Başakşehir. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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