Gift Orban: Nominated for CAF Young Player of the Year
Nigeria’s Gift Orban is on the cusp of achieving a remarkable feat by becoming the fifth Nigerian to win the prestigious CAF Young Player of the Year award.
The announcement of his nomination was made on the official CAF website, where the talented young player finds himself among the nominees for the 2023 CAF men’s Young Player of the Year award.
A Strong Lineup of Nominees
Gift Orban is in the company of seven other young African talents, making it a competitive field.
Notable names include Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, formerly of FC Barcelona.
The list is completed by players like Souleymane Alio (New Stars FC/Burkina Faso), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon/Ghana), Bilal El Khannouss (Genk/Morocco), and a quartet of Senegalese players, Lamine Camara (Metz), Papa Amadou Diallo (Metz), Pape Diop (Zulte Waregem), and Amara Diouf (Generation Foot).
Orban’s Journey and Record
Gift Orban’s journey to this nomination is a testament to his talent and dedication. He began his career with the Norwegian team Stabaek before moving to Belgium to join KAA Gent. With an impressive track record, Orban has netted 27 goals and provided two assists in 38 games across all competitions for the Belgian side.
Notably, Gift Orban etched his name in history in the previous season by accomplishing a remarkable feat.
He became the first player in any European competition to score three goals within an astonishing 205 seconds, securing the record for the fastest hat-trick in the history of UEFA club competitions.
This incredible achievement took place in a match against Istanbul Basaksehir in the UEFA Europa Conference League in March 2023.
Pursuing Greatness
If Gift Orban manages to secure the 2023 CAF Young Player of The Year Award, he will join an elite group of Nigerian players who have achieved this honor.
Names like Asisat Oshoala, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, and Alex Iwobi have previously been recognized with this prestigious award.
His nomination is not only a personal achievement but also a source of pride for Nigerian football, as the country continues to produce talented and promising athletes in the sport.
The football world eagerly awaits the announcement of the winner, and Gift Orban’s journey to greatness is one to watch.
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