“Not enough for me”
Lyon coach Pierre Sage has revealed that Nigerian striker Gift Orban was excluded from the matchday squad against Auxerre to his unsatisfactory level of commitment, Soccernet.ng reports.
Orban has had a topsy-turvy campaign with Lyon this season. He started the campaign on the bench, but he got his first minutes of the season against Strasbourg, and he took it with both hands, scoring a brace.
However, the 22-year-old striker failed to score in his next two games. Since the last week of September, Orban has gotten only 22 minutes of action.
The former Gent man was conspicuously missing when Lyon welcomed Auxerre to Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday. The game eventually ended 2-2.
Following the result, Lyon coach Sage has revealed that he holds nothing against Orban. Rather he wants the Nigerian striker to show more in training.
“It’s a purely sporting decision for both of us. It’s not a decision against them (Orban, Maxence Caqueret) it’s a decision for the group and also for them, maybe so that they react a little,” Sage said, per Sport.
“Of course. It’s always with the idea of not eliminating anyone, of making sure that everyone is mobilized. Today, they are both very committed this week, but unfortunately it’s not enough for me to be in the group for this match.”
Next up for Lyon is a big game against Lille next weekend. And Orban will be hoping that he gets some game time.
