Gift Orban Joins Olympic Eagles For Guinea U23 AFCON Qualifier

Gift Orban Joins Olympic Eagles For Guinea U23 AFCON Qualifier

By Niyi Busari

An official of the Nigeria U23 national team has confirmed the invitation of in-form Gent striker, Gift Orban to join the team ahead of Wednesday's CAF U23 African Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea in Abuja.

"I can confirm to you that Gent forward, Gift Orban has been invited and will join the team before our game against Guinea on Wednesday." The team official confirmed to BSN Sports.

Gift Emmanuel Orban (born 17 July 2002) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Belgian club Gent.

The 20-year-old Nigerian player this week scored a hat-trick for Gent in 3 minutes, 24 seconds against Istanbul in a UEFA Europa Conference League game.

It is the fastest ever hat-trick in a European clubs competition. He is the youngest hat-trick scorer in the Conference League.

 He has proved that he's not a flash in the pan, having scored 18 goals in 23 appearances for Norwegian First Division Club, Stabaek FC, in the 2021/22 season, and has scored 12 goals in 9 appearances for Belgium Division One club, Gent.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had sent invitations to foreign players on Tuesday to join the Olympic Team but Orban's name was missing. The federation however sent the invitation for him to fortify the team's attack after recording fastest hat trick in the European club competition.

Nigeria U23 Eagles will trade tackles with Guinea U23 team in the first leg of the CAF U23 African Nations Cup qualifier at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja on Wednesday while the second leg takes place few days later.

Winners between Nigeria and Guinea in the two games will qualify for the CAF U23 AFCON finals.