The Nigeria Football Federation NFF, pursuit of South African defender Ime Okon may have hit the rocks following the players thought of sticking to the Bafana Bafana npflupdates.com reports.
Nigeria is looking to strengthen its aging defense backline, and that effort has seen former Germany Youth International Jordan Torunarigha switch allegiance to Nigeria. Also, Calvin Bassey, Kevin Akpoguma and Olaoluwa Aina have all considered the Super Eagles.
But the case of Ime Okon, may be a herculean task, since the kid had in the past made a South Africa’s preliminary squad for international friendlies in September.
Ime Okon, is an 18-year-old Supersports United defender with dual nationality of Nigeria and South Africa. And the kid is already on the wishlist of the Hugo Broos Bafana Bafana side.
Okon’s impressive performances at Supersports united made coach Hugo Broos including him in his preliminary squads for the last month’s international friendlies against Namibia and DR Congo. And also against Eswatini and Ivory Coast, though he didn’t make the final cut for those fixtures.
According to the teenager, he doesn’t want pressures, as he’s keeping his mind open to both Nigeria and South Africa; stressing that whatever comes first he will accept.
Ime Okon opens up on his intentional allegiance
“I just don’t want any pressures, but I just keep my mind open to both and whatever comes first then we’ll see what happens because it’s quite a tough decision for me,” Okon told SABC Sport.
“South Africa is a country I was born and bred in, but Nigeria knows is my home where my dad is from.”
“It’s very tough to make, but I feel like whenever the opportunity comes I’ll take it with both hands. I’ve spoken to coach Thabo September he also just advised me that I should just keep my options open, and whatever comes I should just take the opportunity,” he continued.
Speaking further, Okon confessed that it will be better and easier for him to adapt to the Bafana Bafana than to the Super Eagles. And that’s because, South Africa coach, Hugo Broos is always around and sees them.olay more often.
“I’d say for now it’s better with South Africa because with Hugo Broos he sees us around. With Nigeria, it’ll be quite tough, but I just do my best to also get a call up there,” he added.
