‘I know where my heart is” – Hannover star ends Nigeria vs South Africa speculations ahead of AFCON 2025

Nigeria-eligible centre-back Ime Okon has drawn a definitive line under the long-running debate about his international future, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Hannover 96 defender insists he remains firmly committed to South Africa despite eligibility to play for Nigeria.

Only just 21, the youngster has constantly faced speculations in recent years suggesting he could be tempted by the more decorated Super Eagles as he was born in Johannesburg to a South African mother and Nigerian father.

Nigeria, a three-time Africa Cup of Nations champion and Olympic gold medallist, boasts a far richer international football history than South Africa, whose only AFCON title came in 1996.

The Super Eagles have reached the World Cup round of 16 and are aiming for their seventh appearance in 2030, while Bafana Bafana will mark only their third next year. For dual-eligible players like Okon, the lure of a continental powerhouse is often strong.

Yet, for Okon, the conversation has always been straightforward. He first appeared in Bafana Bafana’s provisional squads in 2023 after catching the attention of national team coach Hugo Broos. Earlier this year, he featured prominently in South Africa’s COSAFA Cup campaign, scoring against Zimbabwe and playing every match as the team reached the final.

Speaking on Radio 2000’s Game On, he reiterated that his loyalty has never been divided.

“People always talk, but at the end of the day, I know where my heart is,” Okon said.

“I played for South Africa at the COSAFA Cup and I scored (against Zimbabwe) and South Africa is everything to me. I don’t know anything else besides South Africa, it’s where home is, even if Nigeria can call me up, SA is home, that's all I have to say.”

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Nigeria miss out on Okon with Broos set to name AFCON squad

Okon’s reaffirmation comes at a critical moment as Hugo Broos prepares to announce his final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The defender withdrew from recent World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda through injury but remains highly regarded within the national setup.

His rapid rise, from SuperSport United to Bundesliga 2 side Hannover 96, has added to his growing profile. Okon made his league debut earlier this season, playing 88 minutes in a 1–0 win over Kaiserslautern, further strengthening his credentials as one of South Africa’s brightest emerging defenders.

Okon is, however, not in the thoughts of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who is set to name his provisional squad for AFCON 2025 in the coming hours.

The Malian tactician will likely count on the defensive nous of Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Chidozie Awaziem at the continental showpiece.

Brentford youngster Benjamin Fredrick would have made that shortlist but the youngster suffered an injury that has potentially knocked him out of selection for the AFCON.

Other options available for Chelle includes Rangers star Emmanuel Fernandez, Wolfsberger AC's Chibuike Nwaiwu, Hamburger FC's Jordan Torunarigha and TSG Hoffenheim's Kevin Akpoguma, among several others.