Akpoguma Admits Hoffenheim Are in a Relegation Battle as Gift Orban Debuts
Super Eagles defender Kevin Akpoguma has admitted that Hoffenheim are fighting to avoid relegation after their 1-0 loss to VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday. The match also marked the debut of Gift Orban for Hoffenheim.
The only goal of the match came in the 29th minute, when Mohamed Amoura scored with a header past goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
Hoffenheim made moves to strengthen their attack by signing Gift Orban from Lyon in January. However, Orban did not score in his debut, playing for one hour against Wolfsburg.
In their last nine Bundesliga matches, Hoffenheim have won only once and are in 15th place with 14 points, just one point above the relegation zone. They have struggled to score, with fewer goals than most other teams in the league.
After the match, Akpoguma said Hoffenheim’s poor first half was the main reason for the loss. “We were nervous with the ball, lacked courage, and didn’t press,” he said. “After the break, we played better, but the first half cost us.”
He also acknowledged Hoffenheim’s situation, saying, “We are in a relegation battle, that’s a fact. We have to stick together now.”
Next, Hoffenheim will face league leaders Bayern Munich on Wednesday and then play Holstein Kiel, who are near the bottom, on Saturday.
