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BackpagepixWHAT HAPPENED?
SuperSport United defender Ime Okon has revealed which national team he desires to represent between Bafana Bafana and Nigeria.
The talented center-back, born in Johannesburg, has the option to represent either South Africa or the Super Eagles, where his father originates from.
Okon, 20, a promising South African defender, has shared that his ultimate aspiration is to represent Bafana on the field.
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Getty ImagesWHAT OKON SAID
“The whole Nigerian thing, I have Nigerian family, I speak to those from Nigeria, and they also say even if people pressurise me, I must make a choice that I must be happy with,” Okon told iDiski Times.
“I grew up here, everything I know is South African you know. For them, they wouldn’t be touched if I played for Bafana. South Africa is all I know. I can barely speak the native Nigerian language, but I know my roots.
“I’m pretty much South African, but I am also proudly Nigerian as much as I am proudly South African,” he added.
“But playing for Bafana, it’s been a dream, it’s a big thing, my mom always said, ‘one day Bafana Bafana! You know? So, it’s been a big thing for my family, growing up to be in a Bafana jersey would be great.”
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BackpageTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Okon was promoted to SuperSport’s senior team in July 2023, and he has since established himself as a key player under the guidance of Gavin Hunt.
His mesmerizing displays for Matsatsantsa captured the attention of Hugo Broos, leading him to include him in the preliminary squad for the friendly matches against Namibia and DR Congo in September last year.
Although he didn’t secure a spot in the final squad, he has been included in the provisional Bafana squad on multiple occasions since then.
In 2023, he underwent successful trials at Danish champions Midtjylland who remain keen admirers of the youngster.
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BackpagepixWHAT NEXT?
Okon will eagerly anticipate receiving another call from Broos next year for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers or friendly matches.
Bafana will be in action on Tuesday in a match against South Sudan, whereas Nigeria will go head-to-head with Rwanda on Monday in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
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