‘ My goals saved me’ : Gift Orban on Nigeria, escaping poverty and Ligue 1

Nigerian striker Gift Orban (21) is quite the character. Despite just one goal in nine appearances for Olympique Lyonnais since joining from Belgian outfit KAA Gent in January, he has already made his mark with his ferocious competitive spirit and presence in the dressing room, even going as far as to unsettle some of his teammates in his first weeks at the club. 

Speaking to L’Équipe, Orban responded to quotes from Alexandre Lacazette claiming that his blunt way of communicating surprised the team at first: 

“People don’t know me, but that’s me. I say what I think, I tell the truth. If you do something I don’t like, I won’t do anything behind your back, I will stand in front of you and say it. I’m not a hypocrite, I am direct and I don’t have a problem with anyone here. I try to be nice to everyone, to come to training and share my joy.

I’m a little bit like this, If you see me from afar, you’ll tell yourself that I’m a bit weird, but once you get close to me, you’ll realise I’m easy-going and respectful. You just need to know me. I’ve experienced some things in life that make me like this, I am not afraid of anything.”

Orban left Nigeria aged 19 to sign for Norwegian outfit Stabaek, leaving behind a different life that the forward is not too keen to talk about. In 2023, 12% of the world’s population living in extreme poverty resided in Nigeria, a country booming in both economic and population terms. This hardship is a sad reality for millions of Nigerians and Africans as a whole, and Orban and his family were no exceptions: 

” 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