Nigeria Players Abroad
Gift Orban opens Hellas Verona goalscoring account in nervy draw vs Juventus

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Nigeria striker Gift Orban marked his first goal for Hellas Verona in dramatic fashion during a tense draw with Juventus.
Verona showed glimpses of attacking promise in the opening stages, particularly through the lively runs of the Nigerian forward, yet Juventus maintained much of the control and rhythm of the game.
The turning point came right on the stroke of half-time when Verona were awarded a penalty following a handball by Joao Mario. Orban took responsibility and, despite Michele Di Gregorio guessing correctly and getting a hand to the shot, the striker’s effort found its way into the net.
The goal not only opened his account for Verona but also gave the home fans something to cheer about after a 19th minute strike from Juventus.
Orban’s overall display earned him the Man of the Match award, as his energy and determination caused Juventus persistent problems.
However, the contest was overshadowed by refereeing controversy, with Antonio Rapuano facing scrutiny for his handling of key moments.
His decisions on the night have sparked debate, with reports suggesting that the official now risks being demoted from Serie A to Serie B for his performance in the Verona–Juventus clash.
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