By Sports Recorder
South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, has once again included highly-rated defender Ime Okon in its preliminary squad, sparking renewed debate about his international future.
Okon, 20, was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and South African mother but was raised solely by his mother after losing his father as a baby.
He currently plays in Germany with Hannover 96 in the second tier of the Bundesliga, having joined from SuperSport United, where he rose to prominence in 2023.
While his inclusion has delighted sections of the South African football community, it has also triggered sharp reactions.
Many Bafana supporters remain divided over his call-up, while Nigerian fans, boasting of a surplus of talent, have cheekily claimed they are “helping South Africa” by producing players like Okon.
This is not the first time Okon has been considered for Bafana duty. He was named in a provisional squad in 2023 ahead of a FIFA World Cup qualifier but was later dropped.
Since then, his stock has continued to rise. He made 18 appearances in the DStv Premiership under coach Gavin Hunt and featured six times in continental competition before moving abroad.
Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and legend Andre Arendse has repeatedly warned that South Africa risks losing Okon to Nigeria if swift action is not taken.
“Ime Okon is a super talent, but we better be careful we don’t lose him,” Arendse said. “He is definitely one for the future. I know what I am talking about because I’ve had the privilege of playing behind some of the best defenders in South Africa.”
Despite being named in multiple provisional squads by coach Hugo Broos, Okon is yet to make his senior debut for South Africa, leaving the door open for Nigeria’s Super Eagles should they decide to make a move.
With his towering presence at centre-back and growing reputation in Europe, Okon’s case is shaping into another dual-nationality battle—a familiar tug-of-war in African football.
For now, all eyes will be on Broos’ final squad list, and whether Okon finally earns his long-awaited Bafana debut—or drifts closer to Nigeria’s green and white.
