Ime Okon shuts Nigeria talk: ‘My heart is with South Africa’

Ime Okon

Cape Town – Hannover 96 defender Ime Okon has moved decisively to end any lingering uncertainty over his international future, reaffirming his commitment to representing South Africa despite speculation linking him to the Nigerian national team.

The 21-year-old, who recently withdrew from Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda due to injury, has been the subject of rumours questioning his loyalty.

Some reports suggested that Nigeria’s Super Eagles were interested in luring the defender away from South Africa, citing his dual heritage — a Nigerian father and a South African mother.

Okon, however, made his stance unequivocally clear in an interview with Radio 2000.

“People always talk, and I don’t know what to say, but at the end of the day, I know where my heart is,” he said.

“I played for South Africa at the COSAFA Cup and I scored (against Zimbabwe) and South Africa is everything to me. I don’t know anything else besides South Africa, it’s where home is.”

Okon has been a standout for Bafana Bafana, featuring prominently during the COSAFA Cup earlier this year.

He played in every match, helping South Africa reach the final, where they suffered a 3–0 defeat to Angola.

His performances caught the eye of national team coach Hugo Broos, who included him in the preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to kick off in Morocco next month.

Okon’s rise from domestic football with SuperSport United to the European stage with Hannover 96 underscores his footballing potential.

He recently made his debut in Germany’s Bundesliga 2, playing 88 minutes in a 1–0 win over Kaiserslautern (Foot-Africa

The defender’s dual heritage has sparked wider conversations about identity and representation in South African football.

Critics who questioned his South African allegiance have been countered by Okon’s firm declarations of loyalty.

“Not borrowed, not adopted; just South African,” one article highlighted, reflecting Okon’s pride in representing his country, according to Goal.

As Okon continues to recover from injury, his inclusion in South Africa’s squads is seen as vital for the team’s defensive strength.

His decision to commit to Bafana Bafana also sends a strong message about the importance of national identity, merit, and loyalty in football, beyond questions of heritage.

Okon’s story represents a growing generation of South African footballers making their mark both domestically and abroad while proudly representing their country on the international stage, Sowetan reported.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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