Why Gift Orban is Not Playing for Nigeria Yet

Gift Orban’s impressive start to the Turkish Super Lig season has brought his international future back into the spotlight. The Amedspor striker is joint-top of the scoring chart with seven goals. But an unresolved eligibility issue is still keeping him out of the Super Eagles, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

The 24-year-old is tied with Trabzonspor’s Mohamed Salah in the goalscoring race, while Nigeria’s regular striker Victor Osimhen has six goals.

Orban's last interaction with the Nigerian team happened under unusual circumstances in 2023. He received his first Super Eagles call-up from Portuguese coach José Peseiro for Nigeria’s final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe.

Even though he trained with the squad, he did not play in the match. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) said he was absent due to injury. Later, sources revealed that the NFF had received a petition from the Togolese Football Federation. They questioned Orban’s eligibility and warned against playing him.

There are no official records supporting that claim, and Orban has consistently denied ever playing for Togo. The situation is complicated by Orban’s background. He was born in Benue State to a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother. He has ties to both countries and spent part of his childhood in Nigeria and Togo.

His talent was first noticed at a tournament in Nigeria. Agent Emefie Atta Aneke spotted him and helped him start his professional career. Three years after his first call-up for Nigeria, Orban has found his best form in Turkey. But this has not answered the questions that have followed him since 2023.

A source within the NFF told our correspondent that caution has been the guiding principle. “It was more of caution. He is a good player but the federation could not afford to take chances. He could be invited tomorrow and they will come up with another petition,” the source said.

Orban has not played for Togo at the senior level. Still, reports say the eligibility issue has been resolved, allowing him to represent Nigeria. However, this claim could not be verified on FIFA’s Change of Association Platform.

The last Nigerian to change on that platform was Arthur Okonkwo. His change of nationality from England was confirmed in April. “It is not a case of switching, and I won’t be able to know. I think the point is if we can take the risk after all. It is not like we lack players still,” added the NFF source.

Orban made his preference clear when questions about his international future first came up in 2023. Speaking to Football Fans Tribe, he denied that he was hesitating to play for Nigeria because of interest from Togo.

“It is false, I never wanted to play for Benin or Togo. Many people talk because Nigeria has big players. If you play here you move to a big club, but I never wanted to play for Togo,” he said.

“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.”

FIFA updated its eligibility guidelines in September 2026. They explained the different procedures and documents needed in such cases. FIFA’s current guidelines take into account nationality, descent/residence, and previous international participation when relevant.

In the updated guidelines, FIFA explains when a change-of-association request is needed and when eligibility confirmation requests may be relevant. They also detail the documentation and information necessary in each case.

“In circumstances where a genuine link is required, holding the nationality of a country is not in itself sufficient: the player must also have an objectively identifiable connection to the territory of the relevant Member Association through birth, descent or residence.”