News

Ime Okon: South Africa keen to secure allegiance of 20-year-old Nigeria-eligible defender

The South African Football Federation are keen on getting young SuperSport United central defender to choose the Bafana Bafana over the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.

Okon, 20, has become a figure in the SuperSport United defence alongside Siyanda Xulu and Thulani Hlatshwayo with 18 league appearances this season, helping the team to third place on the PSL table, but they’re thirteen points behind Mamelodi Sundowns.

Okon was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, making him eligible to represent the Super Eagles. Okon himself has revealed his openness to represent either nation.

“South Africa is a country I was born and bred in, but Nigeria knows is my home where my dad is from. It’s very tough to make, but I feel like whenever the opportunity comes I’ll take it with both hands. I spoke to Coach Thabo in September he also advised me that I should just keep my options open. I’d say for now it’s better with South Africa because with Hugo Broos he sees us around. With Nigeria, it’ll be quite tough, but I just do my best to also get a call up there,” Okon told Goal in 2023.

In a report published by The South African, Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Andre Arendse believes it would be a huge shame to watch Okon switch to play for Nigeria.

“I know I’m not putting pressure on him because he can handle it. He’s starting to prove it in games, we need to look after him. About dual citizenship, we better be careful we don’t lose him, he’s one for the future. I know what I’m talking about, I had the privilege of playing behind some of the best defenders in South Africa – I don’t even need to mention names, you guys know who I’m talking about and I’m telling you now in a few years he’s going to be up there and even better than those,” the 56-year-old told Goal in quotes revealed by the South African.

According to iDiski Times, Okon is being monitored by Frank Onyeka’s former club in Denmark, FC Midtjylland. He has racked up 27 appearances for Matsatantsa since being promoted from the Diski Challenge side.

Should Okon choose to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, it will be a major boost and addition to the squad, so they can be properly integrated, as William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo enter into the closing stages of their career.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

Share
Published by
Adefolahan Guerreiro

Recent Posts

Real Madrid target Super Eagles star with 27 G/A in 2024 as Vinicius Jr nears world-record move to Al-Hilal

Real Madrid may soon face the departure of their star forward Vinicius Junior, with Al-Hilal… Read More

8 mins ago

AFCON U20: Coach Zubairu opens Flying Eagles door for Inter Milan, OGC Nice, Genk wonderkids

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has pledged to give Nigeria’s foreign-based talents the opportunity… Read More

1 hour ago

Chukwueze returns to Santiago Bernabéu: Can AC Milan’s Nigerian star repeat Villarreal brilliance vs Real Madrid?

AC Milan will look to Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze for inspiration on Tuesday as they… Read More

2 hours ago

“We can’t afford to fail again” – Super Eagles B star warns Ghana ahead of crucial CHAN decider

Nigerian forward Mohammed Zulkifilu has declared his determination to secure qualification for the 2024 African… Read More

3 hours ago

Ademola Lookman: Atalanta & Nigeria star rated Serie A’s top performer and Player of the Week

Following a dazzling performance against Napoli on Sunday, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named… Read More

4 hours ago

Report: Osimhen to join Icardi in Galatasaray’s two-pronged attack despite injury scare

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will be available for selection for Galatasaray in their UEFA… Read More

4 hours ago