South Africa defender Ime Okon<\/a> has revealed he never had a doubt about representing the Bafana Bafana ahead of the Nigerian senior national team, the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Okon has drawn a line under his international allegiance, confirming his full commitment to South Africa<\/a> despite eligibility for Nigeria.<\/p>\n Born in Johannesburg to a South African mother and Nigerian<\/a> father, the 20-year-old centre-back had the option of representing either of the African football giants.<\/p>\n But after making his debut for Bafana Bafana in the 2025 COSAFA Cup, Okon has made his stance clear.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was never a difficult decision to choose which nation to represent,\u201d Okon said, as per SABC Sports<\/a>. \u201cThis is what I’ve always wanted. I’m really happy.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Bafana Bafana and SuperSport United defender Ime Okon says it has always been his dream to represent the South African senior national men\u2019s team and there was no two ways about it. Okon is also a subject of interest from different teams!<\/p>\n #SABCSport<\/a>\u2019s @Velile_Mnyandu<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/9wiQisnupJ<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Okon added: \u201cIf [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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Okon\u2019s international career began to take shape when head coach Hugo Broos called him up for the preliminary squad earlier this year.<\/p>\n He was handed a starting role in the COSAFA Cup opener against Mozambique on June 4 \u2014 a narrow 1-0 defeat \u2014 but impressed with his composure and defensive intelligence.<\/p>\n He started all three group matches, rounding off his debut campaign with a standout performance against Mauritius in a goalless draw.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Team of the Week.<\/p>\n While some Nigerian fans may have held faint hopes of convincing him to join the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s centre-back options \u2014 including William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Igoh Ogbu, and teenage star Benjamin Fredrick \u2014 mean Okon’s decision won’t shake up Eric Chelle’s plans.<\/p>\n However, South Africa\u2019s new defensive gem may soon face his father\u2019s homeland, with a potentially high-stakes World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa looming on 5 September.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Ga1xzryXAAEOXMK-750x792.jpeg\")
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Soccer Ime Okon, South Africa\u2019s new defensive gem\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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