Gift Orban scores as Hoffenheim end poor run at Werder Bremen

Super Eagles striker Gift Orban scored for Hoffenheim in their 3-1 win over Werder Bremen at Weserstadion on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.

German Bundesliga strugglers Hoffenheim returned to league action at Werder Bremen, with Orban getting a rare start in front of goal. The Nigerian striker left Lyon in January to get more playing time in Germany, but he has struggled, making only two starts at Hoffenheim before the fixture at Bremen.

Die Kraichgauer had a poor start to the game, as defender Stanley Nsoki inadvertently put the ball in his own net to make it 1-0 to Werder Bremen after seven minutes.

However, they bounced back quickly, with Anton Stach scoring the equaliser off a lovely assist from Andrek Kramaric in the 28th minute. Then, just before halftime, Hoffenheim got their second, courtesy of Tom Bischof.

Orban was quite silent in the first half, as he did not have many opportunities in the final third. In the second half, he put himself about, and he eventually got a yellow card for all his troubles.

Nonetheless, he finally got his goal in the 63rd minute, as he displayed his striker's instinct, latching onto a cross from Kramaric before sending a clean finish into the net.

That goal was just enough for Hoffenheim as they ran out 3-1 winners. Orban was taken off in the 76th minute after he appeared to have sustained a knock.

It's all about momentum for Orban and Hoffenheim

Orban proved himself to Christian Ilzer, and he will hope to get more starts and more minutes in the coming weeks.

Hoffenheim are 15th in the Bundesliga, seven points above the relegation zone. They will look to stack up more wins so they can climb higher up the table.

The win at Werder Bremen will put some wind in their sails going into their next game against Stuttgart at the PreZero Arena.