Gift Orban earns comparison to Ballon d`or winner
For his spectacular start to life at Belgian first division side KAA Gent, Nigerian striker Gift Orban has earned comparison to 1991 Ballon d`or winner Jean-Pierre Papin.
Orban was drawn in this comparison by Belguim legend Franky Van der Elst who sees similarities with France and Marseille icon Jean-Pierre Papin in the 20-year old striker.
” Orban is good, Franky Van der Elst told Het Nieuwsblad “It’s a no-brainer, which acts extremely fast in and around 16.
“His second goal against Basaksehir was nice of course, but I also thought the first one was fantastic.
“He stands still and gets that ball pushed into his foot. It’s half under you, isn’t it? But then it’s: control left and kick left. Crook-crook. That goes so fast.
“He only needs few ball contacts to score. I don’t mean that he doesn’t appear much in the game, but how he finishes: always one time, two times max.
“At Zulte Waregem he finished all his four goals in one time, with right and left. He reminds me a bit of Papin. He also had that direct and selfishness.”
For his form which has seen him bag the record for fastest hattrick in the UEFA Europa league, Orban has been named among sixteen foreign-based players for Nigeria`s Olympic Eagles as they prepare to face Guinea in a two-legged Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier.
