It is very strange — Gent boss opens up on Gift Orban's recent struggles

Gift Orban has struggled in recent weeks to replicate last season's red-hot form.

The Nigerian goal-getter has struggled with niggles and poor form, managing just 2 goals in 7 appearances, and his manager is clearly worried.

Vanhaezebrouck has explained that Orban is struggling, even in training.

“Things are not going so smoothly with Gift either in training,” he said to Nieuwsblad. 

He continued: “It’s very simple: someone who plays fantastically well in training always plays. 

"We also think it is very strange, but I also mentioned that last year: then everything worked and everything was great. Sometimes things just don’t work out, and Gift is just in such a moment, but that can also make him stronger, once he finds his way to the goal again.”

Gent are in Europa Conference League action against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, and Orban will be hoping to rediscover his goalscoring boots after a rough start to the season.