Nigerian trio face uncertainty after Serie A manager sackings
Three Nigerian players—Gift Orban, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and Rafiu Durosinmi—have been affected by recent managerial changes in the Italian Serie A. Akinsanmiro and Durosinmi were impacted by Pisa's decision to dismiss head coach Alberto Gilardino, while Orban's club, Hellas Verona, parted ways with Paolo Zanetti. Both clubs are struggling in the league, and the sackings could influence the players' roles going forward. The changes come after disappointing results for both teams.
Match highlights
- Pisa sacked head coach Alberto Gilardino after a 3–1 home defeat to Sassuolo, with Akinsanmiro and Durosinmi affected by the decision.
- Akinsanmiro recently returned from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and has played 13 league matches this season.
- Durosinmi joined Pisa in January and recorded his first assist for the club in the loss to Sassuolo.
- Hellas Verona dismissed Paolo Zanetti after a 4–0 defeat to Cagliari, with Orban having scored seven goals and one assist in 20 appearances.
- Both Pisa and Hellas Verona are near the bottom of the Serie A table, each with 14 points from 23 matches.
