The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is planning on moves to blacklist Orban Gift for snubbing a national team call-up last month npflupdates understands.
The international career of forward Gift Orban may have suffered a huge decline even before starts blooming. Because there’s a move by the NFF to blacklist him.
KAA Gent forward Gift Orban last month failed to answer a clarion call to from the Nigeria football governing body NFF. He was invited by Nigeria U-23 coach Salisu Yusuf for AFCON qualifier against Guinea.
Nigeria U-23 team entertained and drew Guinea at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja on 23 March.
Read also: Except He Resigns Salisu Still Our Coach – NFF
And during the return fixture that happened in Rabat, Morocco, Nigeria was beaten 0-2 by the Guineans. So, ending their AFCON U-23 and summer Olympic games hopes.
According to a top NFF official who spoke to OwngoalNigeria, Gift’s scoring prowess would’ve been useful if he was present. Hence the moves to blacklist orban is being considered.
Gift since his arrival to Gent last January, has scored nine goals in seven Pro League matches. Scoring back-to-back hat-trick last month.
NFF reveal moves to blacklist Orban Gift from national teams
“We don’t know he didn’t turn up. The club didn’t respond to the invitation, but the coaches said one of his representatives was heard saying it’s insulting for him to play for the U-23. As he feels he belongs to the Super Eagles,” the NFF official said.
“In his words it will lower his market value. This conversation took place in Abuja.”
“Salisu Yusuf was asked and he said he has no idea why Gift didn’t turn up. We are doing our investigation before taking the next step, which could possibly lead to him getting blacklisted from the senior team in the future.”
Speaking further, the official said the time of the invitation wasn’t a limiting factor. Because, according to him, Gift would’ve honoured the invitation if it were to be for Super Eagles engagement.
“If it was a call-up to the Super Eagles, will the club say no? This and more we are looking at before taking a decision,” he concluded saying.
