Eight things to know about Nigeria’s newest scoring sensation, Gift Orban

Gift Orban, a largely unknown Nigeria forward based in Belgium, has become the newest scoring sensation in Europe. While his exploits do not diminish Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Orban made headlines on Wednesday night by scoring the fastest‑ever hat‑trick in the UEFA Europa Conference League, helping KAA Gent defeat Istanbul Başakşehir 4‑1. He found the net in the 31st, 32nd and 34th minutes, and had already scored Gent’s lone goal in the first‑leg 1‑1 draw.

Here are eight key facts about the 20‑year‑old forward:

1. Orban grew up in both Togo and Nigeria and is fluent in French.
2. In November 2021, he was spotted by Stabæk scouts Torgeir Bjarmann and Thomas Finstad during a showcase tournament organized by agent Atta Aneke. He trained with Stabæk in the winter of 2022 before returning to Nigeria when his visa expired.
3. He netted his first senior goals in cup matches against semi‑professional sides Notodden and Gjøvik‑Lyn (twice), after which he became a starter for Stabæk. His strike against SK Brann was likened to Alanzinho’s performances for the club.
4. Orban finished the 2022 Norwegian First Division as joint top scorer, sharing the 16‑goal tally with Bård Finne.
5. On 31 January 2023, he signed a permanent deal with Belgian Pro League side Gent.
6. He made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his Pro League debut in a 3‑3 draw with Westerlo on 11 February.
7. On 12 March, Orban became the first Gent player in the 21st century to score four goals in a match, leading a 6‑2 away win over Zulte Waregem.
8. His three‑minute‑25‑second hat‑trick against İstanbul Başakşehir set a new record for the fastest hat‑trick in UEFA club competitions, eclipsing Mohamed Salah’s previous mark of six minutes 12 seconds in the Champions League.

Orban revealed on Sunday that he dreams of playing in the Premier League, acknowledging that “my level has to be even higher if I ever want to play in the Premier League. There is still a lot of work to be done.” Belgium U‑19 coach Wesley Sonck, a former Genk star and Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year (2001/02), advised him to gain more experience in the Jupiler Pro League before considering a move abroad. Sonck praised Orban’s ambition, speed, adaptability and goal‑scoring instinct, but cautioned that the Premier League or Bundesliga remain “a few steps higher,” noting the quality of forwards such as Thuram and Kolo‑Muani at clubs like Mönchengladbach and Frankfurt.