Gift Orban’s impressive goal-scoring form for Turkish side Amedspor has intensified calls for his inclusion in the Super Eagles of Nigeria, but an unresolved nationality dispute continues to threaten his international future.
The 24-year-old Nigerian forward has enjoyed an outstanding 2026-2027 campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 11 Turkish Süper Lig appearances.
Gift Orban’s latest strike against Galatasaray reportedly triggered a mandatory purchase clause in his contract, allowing Amedspor to secure his services permanently for €3 million.
Orban has emerged as the league’s leading scorer, moving ahead of several established forwards, including Nigeria international Victor Osimhen and Egyptian icon Mohamed Salah of Trabzonspor, who both have nine goals each.
His performances have made his continued absence from the Super Eagles increasingly noticeable, particularly after coach Eric Chelle overlooked him for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.
However, his omission appears to involve more than footballing considerations, with questions surrounding his international eligibility yet to be resolved.
Speaking in an interview with Naija News, Babafemi Raji (MON), a former Super Eagles media officer who served between 2020 and 2024, explained that conflicting documentation and claims by the Togolese Football Federation had complicated the situation.
“Well, digging deeper, despite the excitement surrounding the player and the interest from the Nigerian football community, there are several issues and disputes in the background, particularly concerning his documentation and international eligibility,” Raji said.
One of the major concerns centres on Orban’s family background and previous footballing records. The striker reportedly has a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother, while the Togolese federation maintains that it possesses documents linking him to the country from his early footballing days.
Naija News reports that Orban received his first Super Eagles invitation in September 2023 under former manager José Peseiro for an AFCON qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe.
However, he failed to make his debut after withdrawing from camp following an injury. Reports subsequently emerged that the Togolese federation had raised objections to his eligibility.
Raji explained that although the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reportedly identified Orban as Nigerian in correspondence surrounding his international invitation, questions remained about his previous registration and footballing allegiance.
“When invitations came from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the correspondence identified him as a Nigerian. However, there were concerns about whether he had been properly registered with Togo or whether his previous records established his nationality and footballing allegiance to the country,” Raji said.
The dispute has since raised concerns about the possibility of Nigeria facing disciplinary action if it fields the striker without first establishing his eligibility.
According to Raji, Togo cannot simply release Orban and permit him to represent Nigeria if its federation maintains that its documentation establishes his connection to the country.
“The NFF would need to establish his eligibility beyond doubt before considering him for international football. Having a player who can score goals and make a difference is important, but not at the expense of exposing the country to possible sanctions,” he said.
Raji added that the NFF would need to submit the relevant documentation to FIFA, alongside confirmation that Orban wants to represent Nigeria, before the governing body could properly examine his case.
However, the situation appears to have reached a standstill, with no confirmed formal referral to FIFA by either association or a direct application by the player seeking clarification.
Although Orban has publicly expressed his desire to play for Nigeria, uncertainty surrounding his documentation continues to cast doubt over his international prospects.
Conflicting reports have also emerged about his eligibility. ScoreNigeria reported in September 2026 that a senior football official had confirmed his clearance to represent Nigeria.
However, Naija News could not verify the development through FIFA’s Change of Association Platform.
Until the relevant documentation and his international status receive official clarification, his participation in competitive international football remains uncertain.
According to Raji, Nigeria must prioritise the country’s interests rather than allow Orban’s impressive club performances to influence a decision that could have wider consequences.
“Nigeria has other options, other players who can contribute to the national team. So, why take such a risk over one player, regardless of how talented he is?” he queried.
He warned that the unresolved dispute could leave the striker in an unusual position, with his reputation continuing to grow at club level without an opportunity to represent either Nigeria or Togo.
“There is even the possibility that he could end up being a player known only for his club performances, without ever representing either Togo or Nigeria at international level,” Raji added.
