Why hot Gent striker Gift Orban will miss Nigeria’s games against Guinea

Red-hot Gent striker Gift Orban will not be available for Nigeria’s Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea because Gent wants him to rest during the international break.

Orban made the cut for coach Salisu Yusuf’s list for the crucial AFCON qualifier double-header against Guinea. The 20-year-old has been in superb form for Gent recently, scoring twelve goals in ten games since he joined from Stabaek in January.

The youngster was expected to add some bite to coach Salisu’s team, as they pitch for the 2023 AFCON ticket.

However, Nigeria would have to make do without him. Soccernet reported earlier that Gent may not allow Orban to join the Olympic Eagles because the invitation did not reach the club early.

But in an interview on Brila FM per Soccernet, coach Salisu stated that the NFF sent invitation letters to all the foreign-based players at the same time. And of the 16 that were called up, 14 were already in camp. And Salisu stated that he did not know why Orban had not reported to camp despite the Monday deadline.

Well, according to a report by Voetbalkrant, the real reason Orban is not in camp is that Gent have refused to release him.

This is because he has been in good form since he joined, and they want him to get enough rest during the international break so that he can finish the season strong.

Gent currently have 51 points. And they sit fourth in the Jupiler League- the final playoff spot. But they are in danger of dropping out of the top four if they do not win their remaining four games. Club Brugge are lurking behind with 49 points, Westerlo have 48, and Standard Liege have 46. Any of these teams could pounce if Gent take their feet off the pedal.

Nonetheless, coach Salisu should be able to find a decent replacement. He already stated that the team is in high spirits ahead of the match.

So without Orban, the Olympic Eagles should be able to defeat Guinea.