Orban Should Be Invited To The National Team — Aghahowa

Former Nigeria international Julius Aghahowa has called for Gift Orban to be invited to the national team.

Orban has been in red-hot form for his Belgian side Gent since joining them in January.

The 20-year-old netted his second hat-trick in three days, as Gent defeated Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1 in Wednesday’s Europa Conference League round 16 second-leg tie.

On Sunday, Orban scored four goals in Gent’s 6-2 win against Zulte-Waregem in the league.

He has scored 12 goals in nine appearances in both the league and Europa Conference League.

And speaking on Orban’s fine scoring form, Aghahowa said he would be a great asset to the Nigerian national team.

He should be called to the national team because he has the record already,” Aghahowa said on Sports Machine on Brila FM. “And if he is doing it over there then I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be called to the national team at least for the U-20.

“He should be invited so that he can beef up the national team, we have the national team that is being assembled at the moment so he should join them. He is a great asset to have in the national team.“

Orban grew up in Togo as well as Nigeria and speaks French. In November 2021, he was scouted by Stabæk’s Torgeir Bjarmann and Thomas Finstad in Nigeria during a showcase tournament arranged by agent Atta Aneke.

He trained with Stabæk during the winter of 2022 before returning after his visa expired. Returning to Norway, he signed for Stabæk in late May 2022.