20-year-old defender Ime Okon has chosen to represent South Africa instead of Nigeria at the international level.
Born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, Okon was eligible to play for either national team. However, the young footballer has spent most of his life and footballing career in South Africa, a factor that clearly influenced his decision.
Okon has made 20 league appearances for SuperSport United, delivering strong performances as a central defender. He was also recently invited for a trial by Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv, further highlighting his growing reputation.
Rising Talent Nets Goal in His First International Match
The talented youngster made his international debut for South Africa during the COSAFA Cup, featuring in the match against Mozambique.
Remarkably, he scored his first international goal in this tournament. Having played in all of South Africa’s matches in the competition so far, Okon has delivered consistently impressive performances.
Nigeria’s Defence Could Have Been a Tough Barrier for Him
In contrast, Nigeria’s central defense is currently well-stocked, with experienced captain William Troost-Ekong, Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, and promising young talent Benjamin Fredrick all competing for places.
This would likely have made it more difficult for Okon to break into the starting lineup for Nigeria.
Therefore, his decision to choose South Africa appears to be a wise move for his international career, offering him more immediate playing time and the chance to establish himself in a competitive national team setup.