Gift Orban vs Victor Osimhen: Who is Nigeria’s most in-form striker in Turkey?

Gift Orban has matched Victor Osimhen’s six-goal tally in Turkey and given Eric Chelle another striker to consider ahead of Nigeria’s next assignments, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Amedspor forward scored a hat-trick against Istanbul Başakşehir on Sunday to reach six Süper Lig goals in five appearances, while Osimhen has six in four league games.

Orban matches Osimhen’s goals

Orban’s latest performance came in a 5-0 win over Başakşehir in Diyarbakır. He scored in the 52nd, 56th and 75th minutes after Amedspor had taken the lead through an own goal, taking his league total to six goals and one assist.

His six goals have come against three opponents. He scored twice against Kasımpaşa, once against Trabzonspor and then produced three against Başakşehir. His goal against Trabzonspor was particularly important, arriving in the 90th minute after he came on at half-time to complete a 2-1 comeback.

Osimhen has reached the same six-goal mark in one fewer appearance. The Galatasaray striker scored twice against Çorum FK, twice against Erzurumspor, once against Göztepe and once against Başakşehir. He also has two assists, giving him eight goal involvements compared with Orban’s seven.

Osimhen’s start has also come against stronger opposition and with Galatasaray competing at the top end of the league, although his run was interrupted by a groin injury after he scored against Başakşehir. He was substituted after 33 minutes and has since been ruled out of Galatasaray’s Champions League opener, with his availability for Nigeria’s September AFCON qualifiers also in doubt.

Why Orban has never played for Nigeria

Orban’s wait for a Super Eagles debut began in September 2023, when José Peseiro called him up for the AFCON qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe. An injury suffered before the match denied him his first appearance.

Questions over his international eligibility also surfaced around that period after the Togo Football Federation challenged his international status. The controversy added another complication to his attempt to establish himself with Nigeria.

His club career then lost momentum. After his explosive spell at Gent, Orban struggled for consistency at Lyon and later Hoffenheim before rebuilding his form in Italy and now Turkey.

Six goals in five Süper Lig matches have changed the conversation. With Osimhen injured and Nigeria preparing to face Madagascar on September 25, Orban has produced the clearest possible argument for another chance.