KAA Gent forward Gift Orban has said he never considered playing for the Togolese national team.
Orban was born to a Nigerian father and Togolese mother.
The forward has been handed his maiden invitation by Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe.
The 21-year-old was previously invited to the Olympic Eagles for the 2023 Africa U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea early this year.
The invitation was however turned down by Belgian Pro League side Gent.
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Despite his impressive club form, Orban was overlooked by Peseiro for Super Eagles previous 2023 AFCON qualifers.
The striker hinted that his biggest dream was to play for the Super Eagles despite his Togolese root.
“I have always believed that one day I will play for the Super Eagles. My mother is from Togo and I always visited him over there , but my greatest ambition is to represent Nigeria,”he told Completesports.com.
“I am closer to fulfilling that ambition now. I can’t wait to get on the pitch against Sao Tome and Principe.”
Orban will look to make his Super Eagles debut against the True Patriots at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.
By Adeboye Amosu in Uyo
4 Comments
To be honest the new addition in the SE shows the coach has a great taste but he just has to update his skills with modern coaching because he has such a great resume coaching top Clubs in the past. As for trophy cabinet I don’t know…..
The midfield is the engine room of most teams. Nigeria is light, with only five invitees, and weak, with nobody playing well. Maybe an attacker or defender can be played in that area. Moving forward, we need new players. An offensive MF to create chances for the four proven or in form strikers; and a defensive MF to assist the defence.
I am sure u are on drugs.
Peseiro never previously ignored Gift Orban. It was the NFF that gave the instructions under the home and foreign-based politics. The media could be more truthful.