Gift Orban: 2 major questions Chelle must answer before Super Eagles recall

Gift Orban has suddenly forced his way back into the Super Eagles conversation, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Amedspor striker scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over İstanbul Başakşehir on Sunday, taking his Turkish Süper Lig tally to six goals and one assist in five matches. Those six goals put him level with Victor Osimhen at the top of the scoring chart.

But goals alone cannot settle the Orban question. Nigeria’s next two competitive matches bring the issue into sharper focus.

Éric Chelle’s side will host Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Morocco to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29, both matches are Group L fixtures of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Chelle therefore faces two difficult questions before he can seriously consider handing Orban another Super Eagles invitation.

🚨🇳🇬 ICYM: Gift Orban’s Hat Trick for Amdespor yesterday 🤩🔥

He has now scored six goals for his new club 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EfG6IdvZY1

— GNB OFFICIAL (@GHNaijaBallers) September 14, 2026

Can Nigeria safely call up Orban?

This is the question that could stop everything before football even enters the discussion. Orban’s international status has been clouded by a dispute involving Nigeria and Togo since 2023.

The former Verona forward has said he was born to a Nigerian father from Benue State and a Togolese mother. He has consistently chosen Nigeria publicly.

However, the Togolese Football Federation contacted the NFF after Orban’s first Super Eagles call-up, raising questions over his nationality and alleging that he had previously appeared for Togo in a CHAN qualifier under a different name and age.

The former Lyon star denied the allegation, saying: “It’s false, I have never played for Togo.”

The controversy already affected his Nigeria career once. He was called up by José Peseiro for the September 2023 AFCON qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe, but did not play. Reports at the time said the NFF wanted the eligibility issue clarified before using him.

Nigeria’s Gift Orban and Victor Osimhen are joint-top scorers in the Turkish Super Lig so far this season, with six goals each 🦅 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/IoeYeEzyWm

— Super Eagles Supporters Club (@official_esclub) September 14, 2026

The uncertainty then contributed to his absence from Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 plans.

That history makes a fresh invitation a serious administrative decision for Chelle and the NFF. A coach can select a player, but the federation has to be satisfied that the player’s documentation and international status are secure.

The key point is that Orban’s current goals do not settle the nationality dispute.

Until the NFF has documentary clearance that removes the FIFA eligibility risk, Chelle cannot simply select him because he is scoring goals. The Malian tactician must be sure that Orban is legally safe to field.

If Orban is cleared, who loses his place?

Even with the eligibility issue solved, Orban would not walk into the Super Eagles attack automatically.

Nigeria already have Victor Osimhen, who has started the new Süper Lig season strongly himself. Osimhen has six goals and two assists in four appearances, before his injury setback.

There are also other options competing for attacking positions, including Rafiu Durosinmi, Tolu Arokodare, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu and others.

Chelle’s second problem is therefore tactical rather than administrative. What exactly would Orban add?

His current numbers suggest a ruthless finisher. His three goals against Başakşehir came inside the penalty area, with the striker showing the movement and quick finishing that made him one of Europe’s most talked-about young forwards at Gent.

Yet international football gives Chelle less room for experimentation. Nigeria’s first two qualifiers are separated by only four days. The coach needs a squad capable of handling Madagascar in Uyo and then recovering quickly for Guinea-Bissau.

Calling Orban up would also create a selection message.

If Chelle invites him, he would be rewarding extraordinary club form despite a long international absence and an unresolved eligibility history. If he leaves him out while Orban sits level with Osimhen as the league’s leading scorer, the question will become even louder.

That leaves Chelle with a difficult choice. Can Nigeria safely use Gift Orban? If the answer is yes, is his current form strong enough to force his way into an already crowded attack?

The answers could shape one of the most intriguing selection decisions before Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 campaign gets underway.