Orban will be a great asset to Super Eagles, says Aghahowa

Former Super Eagles striker Julius Aghahowa has said Gift Orban will be a great asset to the national team of Nigeria.

Orban continued his impressive form in front of goal after bagging another hat-trick, as Gent beat Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1 in the Europa Conference League round 16 second leg game on Wednesday.

Gent qualified for the quarter-finals 5-2 on aggregate after the first-leg ended 1-1.

On Sunday, the 20-year-old Nigerian striker scored four goals in Gent’s 6-2 win at Zulte-Waregem in the Belgian league.

He has now scored 12 goals in nine appearances in all competitions for Gent, whom he only joined in January 2023.

And commenting on the young striker’s brilliant form Aghahowa, speaking on Brila FM’s Sports Machine, called for his immediate invitation to the national team.

“He should be called to the national team because he has the record already,” said Aghahowa, who made 31 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring 14 times.

“And if he is doing it over there then I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be called to the national team, at least for the U-20.

“He should be invited so that he can beef up the national team, we have the national team that is being assembled at the moment so he should join them. He is a great asset to have in the national team,” added Aghahowa, who is joint-10th on Nigeria’s all-time scorers’ list alongside the iconic trio of Asuquo Ekpe, Thompson Usiyen, and Jay-Jay Okocha.

Gent are currently fifth in the 18-team Belgian league and will host Eupen on Sunday.