Play for South Africa, not Nigeria – Bafana Bafana defender Thulani Hlatshwayo warns SuperSport United youngster

Former Orlando Pirates defender Thulani Hlatshwayo has cautioned SuperSport United youngster Ime Okon against choosing to represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria over South Africa, reports Soccernet.ng.

The 20-year-old defender, born in Johannesburg to Nigerian parents, has emerged as one of the Premier Soccer League's rising stars and has attracted interest from both the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana.

However, South Africa's former national team captain has outlined reasons why he believes Okon should opt for his country of birth rather than the West African giants.

Okon, in his debut Premier Soccer League season, quickly established himself as a regular for SuperSport United and was even entrusted with the captain's armband in the CAF Confederation Cup match against Mordern Future earlier in March.

While eligible to play for both Nigeria and South Africa, Okon has yet to publicly announce his international allegiance, although Bafana coach Hugo Broos has previously included him in preliminary squads.

“I have told him he needs to stay in South Africa because it will be difficult for him to crack the Nigeria national team

“To be able to crack the Nigerian national team, he needs to play in Europe — but we need him in Bafana Bafana.

“When you look at our centre backs, Mothobi Mvala has injuries, there is also Grant Kekana and Siyanda Xulu — and I read Siyabonga Ngezana had an issue with his travel documents, but I don’t know what is happening there. His father is from Nigeria and mother from South Africa,” the experienced defender told reporters as quoted by Goal.

Speaking further, Hlatshwayo explains Okon's origin, affirming that he speaks more like a South African. Although, he supports Nigeria more in the team.

“He grew up here, he studied here and coach Gavin Hunt took him from Randburg Football Club. He is South African and he speaks Afrikaans.

“He is a rebel, every time there is Afcon, when Nigeria is playing he is with Nigeria and when South Africa is playing against Nigeria we have a lot of banter in the team,” he continued.

“I told him I would stop helping him if he chose to play for Nigeria because there are things in his game that need to be polished.

“The more he plays, the more experience he is going to get and he will do well. I don't know if it has something to do with him being young but he is quick and strong, and we complement one another very well.”

The Nigerian national team is set to face South Africa in June for their 2026 World Cup qualification tie, reigniting the longstanding rivalry between the two nations.

N.B: Would you like to see Ime Okon play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria or South Africa? Leave your comments below.