Gift Orban Super Eagles eligibility is the question hanging over the hottest striker in Turkish football. The Amedspor forward leads the Süper Lig scoring chart with 10 goals and five assists in 11 appearances, ahead of Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah on nine each — yet he has never played for Nigeria, and Eric Chelle left him out of the 24-man squad for Friday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Tanzania in Uyo.
That omission is about far more than form. An exclusive report by Naija News on Wednesday reveals an unresolved nationality dispute still clouds the 24-year-old’s international future, with Togo claiming documents linking him from his early footballing days. His header against Galatasaray reportedly triggered a clause allowing Amedspor to sign him permanently for €3 million. His club future looks settled. His international one does not.
Gift Orban Super Eagles Eligibility: The Togo Dispute Behind the Delay
Orban was born in Benue State to a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother. He received his first Super Eagles invitation in September 2023, when then-coach José Peseiro called him up for the AFCON qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe — but he withdrew from camp with an injury and never made his debut. Reports then emerged that Togo had objected and petitioned the NFF against fielding him.
PUNCH reported in September that no public official record has substantiated that allegation, and Orban has consistently denied ever representing Togo. Former Super Eagles media officer Babafemi Raji (2020–2024) told Naija News the NFF identified Orban as Nigerian in its correspondence — but doubts lingered over whether he had previously been registered with Togo.
Orban has never hidden where his heart lies. “It is false, I never wanted to play for Benin or Togo,” he said in 2023. “Togo needs players but I don’t want to play for Togo. My mom is from Togo and my father is from Taraku, Benue State in Nigeria.”
Why the NFF Will Not Take the Risk
For the NFF, it is about consequences, not talent: fielding Orban without establishing his eligibility could expose Nigeria to disciplinary action. “The NFF would need to establish his eligibility beyond doubt before considering him for international football,” Raji said. “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.”
The path to clarity exists but nobody has walked it: the NFF would need to submit the relevant documentation to FIFA, alongside confirmation that Orban wants to represent Nigeria. As things stand, there has been no confirmed formal referral to FIFA by either association — and no direct application by the player himself. ScoreNigeria reported in September 2026 that a senior official had confirmed his clearance, but neither Naija News nor PUNCH could verify that through FIFA’s Change of Association Platform.
What It Means for Friday in Uyo — and for Orban
With Osimhen out after knee surgery, Nigeria head into Friday’s must-win qualifier short of their most reliable scorer, leaving Chelle to lean on Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Usor. Raji warned it could end with a striker whose reputation keeps growing at club level, without ever playing international football. “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,” he said.
Until the paperwork is settled, the goals will keep coming in Turkey — and the Super Eagles shirt will stay out of reach. For more on the qualifiers, check today’s predictions.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) — collage by SportsBuddy
