Super Eagles striker Gift Orban has stated that his hunger for goals is what has helped him excel in the course of his career.
Gift Orban has endured a rough patch of form in the first half of the 2023/24 season but he is still widely considered as an elite prospect.
Gift was born in Benue State, Nigeria to a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother.
Orban has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last 20 months. The 21-year-old rose to prominence last year when he joined Belgian club Gent from Norwegian second-division side FC Stabaek.
Upon his transfer to the club in January 2023, Orban registered 15 goals in 16 appearances in the second half of the season. Following his impressive performances for the club, he was linked with a transfer away from Gent, with top European clubs like Tottenham and Barcelona in the mix. However, Gent kept him till this season.
The former Stabaek man registered three goals in 17 Belgium Jupiler League appearances. Despite his slow start to the season, Orban sealed a transfer to French Ligue 1 side Lyon in a deal worth €12 million.
Speaking to L’Équipe, Orban responded to quotes from Alexandre Lacazette claiming that his blunt way of communicating surprised the team at first.
“I can’t explain it because you can’t understand. You were born in Europe, it’s not like being born in Africa.”
“If you’re poor in France, the state can help you, charities can help you and take care of you. In Africa, no one gives you anything and you die of hunger.”
“That’s why we all want to play football.
Where I grew up, if you’re in a poor family, life is impossible.”
“That’s what gives you determination… now, I want to succeed in life to help. Not only my family, that’s already obviously the case, but I want to help all poor people, orphans.”
“There is poor in Europe and poor in Africa. You can’t compare, it’ll never be the same. You need to have lived it like I have. You get up in the morning and you find nothing to eat, don’t ask me to go into detail.” He said
“When I was a kid, my only concern was getting the ball into the goal, even when it was in my half. I was capable of shooting from distance if I saw the goalkeeper in a poor position. If I was told to make ten passes before scoring, I’d rather score directly. The most important thing is putting the ball in the goal, so I have that in the blood. Goals saved me and changed my life. I scored goals because I wanted to escape, I managed to leave Africa thanks to that talent.
” When I arrived in Norway, it was difficult for me, I even went back to Nigeria for a while, then they gave me a three month contract. That was my chance, the manager let me play and I scored twice in successive games. I really had to organise my game. When I turned professional, I understood there would be highs and lows. We can’t win all the time, it was a difficult adaptation but I had to get on with it.
“Now for example, I find it hard to play as a lone striker because I am used to playing with two, it’s better for me, but I have to get on with it and move forward.
“When I arrived at Lyon, I knew I had to be patient, even if I’m not a patient person. I want to play. I know my chance will come and even if I only play 10 or 15 minutes, I will try and best to help the team.
