South Africa coach Hugo Broos has revealed his preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the list has one player of Nigerian origin Ime Okon, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Bafana Bafana were in the same qualifying group as Nigeria and eventually topped it, forcing the Super Eagles to two consecutive draws.
In the past week, most teams attending the Mundial in the Americas have been announcing their squads, and South Africa has now joined the party. Coach Broos announced a preliminary squad on Thursday evening. It features 32 players who are mostly based in the country.
Mamelodi Sundowns and rivals Orlando Pirates have the most players with call-ups, with nine players from each team getting invited. There are also players who ply their trades in Europe, America, and Asia.
There are usual names like Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appolis, and Lyle Foster.
Notably, the team includes one player with Nigerian roots who conspicuously stands out: Ime Okon.
The 22-year-old center-back is currently on the books of Hannover 96, who compete in the 2. Bundesliga, and naturally, he could have been playing for the Super Eagles or the under-23 team. But there is a good chance that he will be donning the jersey of the Bafana Bafana.
Who is Ime Okon?
Ime Okon is a 22-year-old defender who plays for Hannover in the German Bundesliga 2.
He was born to a Nigerian father and South African mother in South Africa, and according to FIFA rules, that makes him eligible to represent either of the two nations.
However, he decided to play for the Bafana Bafana, and he got his debut at the COSAFA Cup last year June.
Okon has often expressed his pride at playing for the Bafana Bafana, and he will definitely be hoping to make the final cut.
Coach Broos is expected to announce his final squad of 26 players soon, and Okon is almost sure to make it.
Okon's decision to play for the Bafana Bafana is not one that would bother most Nigerian fans though, because the Super Eagles have enough cover at center-back. Nigeria's center-back roster has players like Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Igoh Ogbu, Chibuike Nwaiwu, and Benjamin Fredrick. These players can hold their own on any day.
Unfortunately, these names failed to deliver, as the Super Eagles failed to make the World Cup for a second-consecutive edition.
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