Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer has showered praise on striker Gift Orban, commending his strong mentality and determination to overcome challenges.
Orban, who made a winter switch to Hoffenheim, endured a difficult spell with Lyon in Ligue 1 but has since rediscovered his scoring touch in the Bundesliga, netting four goals in nine league appearances.
However, his recent performance in Hoffenheim’s 1-1 draw against Heidenheim raised concerns.
Despite numerous opportunities, Orban failed to find the back of the net, prompting questions about his consistency as the club fights to avoid relegation.
Speaking ahead of the team’s next fixture, Ilzer emphasized Orban’s resilience, highlighting the young forward’s ability to bounce back from setbacks.
“It’s a hallmark of goal-getters getters that they don’t dwell on missed chances for too long, but rather trust their own processes and their coolness in the opponent’s penalty area,” Ilzer told Kicker.
“I noticed that he had been training with great concentration.”
Despite his recent resurgence, Orban was omitted from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures this month.
The snub will likely serve as extra motivation for the forward, who will be eager to prove his worth when Hoffenheim take on FC St. Pauli at the Millerntor-Stadion on Friday.
At just 22, Orban remains one of Nigeria’s most promising attacking talents.
While his time at Lyon did not go as planned, his ability to adapt and deliver in Germany suggests he is far from done.
Since his arrival in the Bundesliga, he has scored four goals in nine appearances (five starts), and with Hoffenheim still battling to secure safety, his contributions could be crucial in the remaining games of the season.
Orban’s next opportunity to impress comes in Hoffenheim’s upcoming clash against Augsburg, a fixture that could have significant implications for their survival hopes.
Currently positioned in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table, Hoffenheim needs every available goal threat, and Orban will be keen to make his mark.
