Orban – Europa Conference Legaue record holder.
With three goals in the 31st, 32nd and 34th minutes, Gift Orban became the fastest player to score a hat-trick in the history of three European cup competitions (Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League).
The fastest hat-trick in the Champions League belongs to Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool star scored 3 goals against Rangers on December 10, 2022 in just 7 minutes. The fastest hat-trick in the Europa League belongs to Patson Daka (Leicester) with 3 goals against Spartak Moscow in 10 minutes from 45 to 54.
Orban’s performance and Hugo Cuypers’ goal helped Gent sink Turkish rivals Basaksehir 4-1 away from home, thereby qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League with a total score of 5-2 after two Round of 16 matches. Over the weekend, Orban also made a poker shot (scoring four goals) in the domestic tournament.
Orban’s impressive performance against Basaksehir. Graphics: Minh Phuc.
This is the second time in history that Gent has entered the top eight at a European cup tournament. In the 2016/17 season, the Belgian team reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League but lost to Celta Vigo.
Back to Orban, the player born in 2002 has just joined Gent from the Norwegian second division club, Stabaek Fotball, for 3.3 million euros in the mid-season transfer window. The young Nigerian star did not need time to adapt to the new team’s playstyle. Orban shines brightly with 15 goals in just 11 appearances for Gent.
Orban’s previous record is also impressive when he scored 16 goals and assisted 6 times in just 22 games for Stabaek Fotball. The Nigerian player possesses an impressive physical, technical and finishing ability. Orban is expected by experts to become a bright star of European football in the near future.
Tuan Nguyen | 05:40 March 16, 2023
