South African defender Ime Okon has opened up about his decision to represent Bafana Bafana instead of Nigeria's Super Eagles, stating that the choice was never a difficult one for him.
The 20-year-old defender, who was born in Johannesburg to a South African mother and Nigerian father, had the option to represent either African nation at the international level. However, Okon has firmly pledged his allegiance to South Africa after making his debut during the 2025 COSAFA Cup.
"It was never a difficult decision to choose which nation to represent," Okon said. "This is what I've always wanted. I'm really happy."
The young defender expressed his satisfaction with the reception he has received from the South African national team setup. "It's 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," he added.
Okon's decision comes at a time when both nations are looking to strengthen their defensive options for upcoming international competitions. His commitment to Bafana Bafana represents another talent that the Super Eagles have missed out on due to dual nationality considerations.
The defender will now focus on establishing himself as a regular for South Africa as they continue their campaign in the 2025 COSAFA Cup and prepare for future competitions.
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