An all guns blazing scene in a cowboy movie is how best to describe the action-styled entrance of Gift Orban to KAA Gent since his January move from Stabæk.
Orban quickly got noticed and particularly for his goalscoring, it was the perfect entrance – grabbing a brace on his debut.
He would go on to score another goal in the next four games and become a menace to defenders.
The 20 year-old’s best scoring form followed, when he went in a blistering run of 11goals and 2assists in 6 games across all competitions.
It seemed like it was too good to be true and yet, before our own eyes, the youngster was doing it and with consummate ease.
He even sent Mohamed Salah’s record of the fastest hat-trick in a European competition tumbling.
But, the worst happened and ironically, the timing couldn’t have been at such a crucial stage of the season.
Gent were through to the quarter finals of UEFA Europa Conference League, with West Ham waiting.
They were also eyeing a Championship playoff spot in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League with a handful of games left in the regular season.
However, Gift Orban suffered a dip in form. His performance wasn’t all that bad, but shots on goal will just not click.
And five games later the team had been knocked out of the Conference League and been condemned to scrapping for the available third tier European Club Competition spot.
But, like a blessing in disguise, it was perhaps a reality check and the jolt Orban and his teammates needed.
In their first game back, seeking redemption, Gent overturned a goal deficit against Westerlo on Friday night.
Even Orban came off the bench and found the back of the net for the first time in five games.
Interestingly, he scored on his debut for Gent in a league game against Westerlo back in February, it ended 3-3.
On Friday, he sealed the victory with his 88th minute goal despite being on the pitch for only 11 minutes.
Gent manager, Hein Vanhaezebrouck will be hoping for more of the same when the team travel to face Standard Liege next, on May 6.
