Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9-inch round cake tin or springform pan.
Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine the chopped dates with 1/2 cup of orange juice. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in the baking soda. Let it sit for 10 minutes to soften into a paste.
Step 3: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the orange zest.
Step 4: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and ground cloves. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the date paste, until just combined.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup by combining the remaining 1/2 cup orange juice, water, granulated sugar, and whole cloves in a saucepan. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 7: Once the sticky orange date cake with clove syrup is removed from the oven, poke several holes across the top with a skewer and pour the warm clove syrup (discarding the whole cloves) over the cake. Allow to cool slightly before serving.