AFCON U-23: Gent Shun Nigeria Over Gift Orban Invitation
Belgian club, Gent have yet to respond to the invitation sent to Gift Orban to play in the national Under-23 team.
Nigeria Under-23 head coach, Salisu Yusuf, confirmed that they have not received any information from the club concerning the player’s invitation to the Under-23 team.
Coach Yusuf stated that the player who only last week scored the fastest hat trick in the UEFA Conference League may miss the opportunity to debut for Nigeria.
The former Rangers International coach invited 16 foreign based players to fortify 30 home based players who had resumed training two weeks ago ahead of the encounter. Salisu added that only five foreign based are in camp and expecting additional four players who have promised to join the team on Monday
“Yeah, we sent invitation to Gift Orban. Salisu exclusively confirmed to BSN Sports.
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“I think I scouted him since he was playing for his former club before he joined Gent. I think he is doing very well. We sent invitation and up till now, we are yet to receive any response from his club.
When asked on whether he will come to play in the game for Nigeria, Salisu said, “True, I am not sure because up till now there is no news neither from him nor the club on whether he is coming tomorrow but we knew that the invitation has reached his club.
Gift, 20, scored 20 goals for Stabaek FC in 2022 and has scored five league and three Uefa Conference League goals for Gent since he joined Gent in January.
“Doors will be shut on players who do not arrive on Monday,” one of the team officials told BSN Sports.
Nigeria will trade tackles with Guinea on Wednesday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja at 4:00 pm. The winners between Nigeria and Guinea in the two legged matches will qualify for the 2023 CAF U23 AFCON.