Nigeria vs South Africa: Bafana Bafana call up Ime Okon for Super Eagles World Cup clash

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa have included a player of Nigerian descent in the squad list ahead of their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Hugo Broos on Thursday, August 28, 2025 included Ime Okon in the final squad for Bafana Bafana's two crucial qualifiers against Nigeria and Lesotho.

Okon is a 21-year-old South African defender for Hannover 96 and the South Africa national team.

He was born to a Nigerian father and South African mother and opted to represent the Bafana Bafana.

Okon began his professional journey with SuperSport United in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League and recently sealed a move to German club Hannover 96.

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He was eligible to represent either South Africa’s Bafana Bafana or Nigeria’s Super Eagles and his inclusion in the list for the upcoming qualifiers provides an intriguing storyline.

After six games, Bafana Bafana leads Group C in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with 13 points, followed by Rwanda in second place and Benin with eight points each.

Nigeria is in fourth place with seven points followed by Zimbabwe with four points and Lesotho with six points.

The two world cup qualifiers will take place in South Africa next month.

Broos' team will travel to Lesotho for the FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State on Friday, September 5, 2025.

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the South African senior men's national team will play the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the same location.

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates FC)

Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Siwelele), Zuko Mdunyelwa, Aubrey Modiba (both Sundowns), Mbikezeli Mbokazi (Pirates), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy FC), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB FC, Romania)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas (both Sundowns), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth FC, England), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates)

Forwards: Kamogelo Sebelebele, Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC, England), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq FC, Saudi Arabia)