Gift Orban, the 22-year-old Nigerian striker for Olympique Lyon, found himself in hot water with Lyon fans after a social media post congratulating his friend Sinaly Diomandé on a goal – scored against Lyon.
Orban, who was not included in Lyon’s squad for their 2-2 draw with Auxerre, commented “Great” with two fire emojis on Diomandé’s Instagram post celebrating his equaliser. The gesture was quickly picked up by Lyon fans, who saw it as a slight against their club. Realising the backlash, Orban deleted the comment and issued a swift apology.
Orban’s explanation was candid yet unexpected: “I’m sorry. That reaction was just to encourage my friend. I didn’t even see that it was a photo of the match against us.” Despite scoring twice in four appearances this season, Orban has frequently been left out of the matchday squad by Lyon’s head coach, Pierre Sage, leaving questions about his role at the club.
Mikautadze’s Goals Secure Draw for Lyon
While Orban faced scrutiny off the pitch, Georges Mikautadze was making headlines on it. The Georgian forward, who transferred from Metz this summer, scored both of Lyon’s goals in the 2-2 draw against Auxerre. Reflecting on his first goals for the club, the former Ajax player admitted, “It is a relief, yes. Even though I didn’t feel any enormous pressure on my shoulders.”
Lyon coach Pierre Sage praised Mikautadze’s performance, adding, “This could be a turning point for Mikautadze and might inspire others. Everyone was very happy with his double. With him, we could do well, I am convinced of that.”
Site Opinion
Gift Orban’s recent social media misstep is the latest in a series of challenges that have defined his early tenure at Lyon. His well-intentioned but poorly timed post reflects the complexities athletes face in navigating personal relationships and public personas in the digital age. For a player already on the fringes of the squad, incidents like this only compound the challenges of settling in. Orban’s genuine but perhaps overly casual explanation may satisfy some, but for fans already anxious about the club’s performances, his actions signal a perceived lack of focus or loyalty.
On the pitch, Mikautadze’s recent brace is a welcome boost for Lyon, who will be hoping his goals can inspire consistency across the squad. As Sage mentioned, Mikautadze’s success could spark a much-needed revival, especially if the team can rally around its emerging talent. With Lyon’s fan base craving positive results, performances like these remind supporters of the potential within the squad.
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