“Never a difficult decision” – Talented youngster breaks silence on ditching Nigeria for South Africa

South Africa defender Ime Okon has revealed he never had a doubt about representing the Bafana Bafana ahead of the Nigerian senior national team, the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

Okon has drawn a line under his international allegiance, confirming his full commitment to South Africa despite eligibility for Nigeria.

Born in Johannesburg to a South African mother and Nigerian father, the 20-year-old centre-back had the option of representing either of the African football giants.

But after making his debut for Bafana Bafana in the 2025 COSAFA Cup, Okon has made his stance clear.

“It was never a difficult decision to choose which nation to represent,” Okon said, as per SABC Sports. “This is what I've always wanted. I'm really happy.

“It’s been a great experience with the national team, all of the players and coaches have been very helpful and welcoming. Hopefully, I can get many more call-ups in the future.”

Bafana Bafana and SuperSport United defender Ime Okon says it has always been his dream to represent the South African senior national men’s team and there was no two ways about it. Okon is also a subject of interest from different teams!

#SABCSport’s @Velile_Mnyandu… pic.twitter.com/9wiQisnupJ

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 17, 2025

Okon added: “If [Broos] is monitoring us, then that will mean a lot to me and to the rest of the guys, because many of us want to represent the country and play for the main Bafana Bafana group.”

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Ime Okon, South Africa’s new defensive gem 

Okon’s international career began to take shape when head coach Hugo Broos called him up for the preliminary squad earlier this year.

He was handed a starting role in the COSAFA Cup opener against Mozambique on June 4 — a narrow 1-0 defeat — but impressed with his composure and defensive intelligence.

He started all three group matches, rounding off his debut campaign with a standout performance against Mauritius in a goalless draw.

Okon's rapid rise from Randburg FC to SuperSport United and now the international stage has been noteworthy. With 20 top-flight appearances under his belt this past season, he even earned a spot in the league’s Team of the Week.

While some Nigerian fans may have held faint hopes of convincing him to join the Super Eagles, Nigeria's centre-back options — including William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Igoh Ogbu, and teenage star Benjamin Fredrick — mean Okon's decision won't shake up Eric Chelle's plans.

However, South Africa’s new defensive gem may soon face his father’s homeland, with a potentially high-stakes World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa looming on 5 September.