Nigerian international Gift Orban made an immediate impact for Hoffenheim, scoring his first goal for the club just two minutes after coming off the bench in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
Hoffenheim, desperate to break a dismal run of form that had seen them win only once in their previous 12 matches, faced a confident Frankfurt side riding a four-game winning streak. The match began poorly for the home side, with Kevin Akpoguma conceding a penalty that Hugo Ekitike converted to give Frankfurt the lead.
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The turning point came in the 63rd minute when Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo introduced Gift Orban, replacing youngster Max Moerstedt. The substitution proved inspired, as Orban wasted no time in making his presence felt. Just two minutes after entering the fray, the Nigerian striker found the back of the net, leveling the score and igniting the home crowd.
The excitement was short-lived, however, as Ekitike struck again just six minutes later, restoring Frankfurt’s lead. Undeterred, Hoffenheim showed resilience and fought back once more. In the dying minutes of the game, Adam Hlozek scored a dramatic equalizer, sending the home fans into raptures and securing a hard-fought point.
The draw leaves Hoffenheim in 15th place in the Bundesliga table with 18 points from 19 games, maintaining a precarious four-point cushion above the relegation zone. While a win would have been preferable, the team can take heart from their fighting spirit and the immediate impact of their new signing, Gift Orban.
Hoffenheim now faces a crucial Europa League encounter against Anderlecht. A victory in this match is essential for their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16.
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