Nigeria forward Gift Orban scored three times in the second half as Amedspor secured a convincing 5-0 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was the key figure in a dominant display at the Seyrantepe Spor Kompleksi Stadyumu 1, scoring a second-half hat-trick to take his league total to six goals this season.
Orban’s latest performance continues an impressive beginning to his loan spell at Amedspor and puts him level with fellow Nigeria international Victor Osimhen on six goals in the Turkish league.
Amedspor already held the advantage before Orban took control of the game after half-time. The Nigerian needed only seven minutes of the second half to find the net for the first time.
Furkan Soyalp supplied the cross, and Orban rose to meet it before directing his header into the bottom corner.
The striker had little time to celebrate before adding another goal two minutes later.
Amedspor quickly moved forward on the counter-attack, with Ermal Krasniqi providing the final pass. Orban remained composed inside the area and finished from close range to increase the hosts’ advantage.
His third goal arrived with 15 minutes remaining and completed the hat-trick.
Once again, Krasniqi was involved in creating the opportunity, supplying the ball for Orban to finish and cap a highly productive evening for the Nigerian.
The three goals took Orban’s league tally to six from five appearances since joining Amedspor on loan during the summer transfer window. He has also recorded one assist in those five matches.
Orban has scored against Trabzonspor and Kasimpasa during his time in Turkey, adding those goals to Sunday’s treble as he establishes himself among the division’s most prolific forwards at the start of the season.
His rapid impact at Amedspor has also brought him level with Osimhen in the Turkish scoring standings.
Osimhen has also made a strong start to the campaign, scoring six times and supplying two assists in four appearances. However, the Super Eagles striker has subsequently been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Orban’s continued goalscoring form could now increase his hopes of returning to the Nigeria squad.
The forward will be looking to maintain his current run as the Super Eagles prepare for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.
His six goals in five league appearances have provided a strong start to his spell with Amedspor and given him an opportunity to strengthen his case for international recognition.
For now, Orban’s immediate contribution has been measured in goals. His three strikes against Istanbul Basaksehir transformed an already comfortable Amedspor position into a comprehensive victory and extended his remarkable scoring sequence in Turkey.
The hat-trick also means the Nigerian has reached six league goals this season, matching Osimhen’s tally despite playing one more league appearance.
With the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers approaching, Orban will hope his form continues to attract attention from the Super Eagles setup. His latest performance gives him another opportunity to demonstrate his credentials as Nigeria’s competition for attacking places continues.
After joining Amedspor on loan in the summer, Orban has taken his opportunity quickly. Five league appearances have produced six goals and one assist, with Sunday’s three-goal performance providing the most emphatic indication yet of his impact in Turkey.
