Super Eagles lose Fredrick replacement as youngster chooses World Cup-bound South Africa over Nigeria

Nigeria’s search for long-term defensive depth has taken another hit after highly-rated centre-back Ime Okon firmly shut the door on any possibility of representing the Super Eagles.

The Hannover 96 youngster, long viewed as a potential future option for Nigeria, has instead doubled down on his commitment to South Africa ahead of a crucial AFCON selection window.

For years, speculation swirled around the international future of the Johannesburg-born defender, who qualifies for Nigeria through his father.

With the Super Eagles boasting a far richer football history, including three AFCON titles, Olympic gold, and a seventh World Cup appearance on the horizon, many believed the pull of a continental heavyweight could eventually sway him. But Okon insists the choice was never complicated.

His rise began in 2023 when South Africa coach Hugo Broos included him in provisional squads, recognising the youngster’s potential early. He later starred at the COSAFA Cup, scoring against Zimbabwe and playing every match en route to the final.

Speaking on Radio 2000’s Game On, Okon made his stance unmistakable, saying: “People always talk, but at the end of the day, I know where my heart is… even if Nigeria can call me up, SA is home, that’s all I have to say.”

Despite withdrawing from recent World Cup qualifiers due to injury, he remains a key prospect for Bafana Bafana ahead of the 2025 AFCON squad announcement.

Okon’s clarity arrives at a crucial moment for Nigeria, with head coach Eric Chelle finalising his provisional squad for AFCON 2025.

Defensive reinforcements were already stretched following Brentford youngster Benjamin Fredrick’s injury, which has ruled him out of contention for the continental showpiece.

Chelle is expected to lean on established names such as Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Chidozie Awaziem, while also weighing options like Rangers’ Emmanuel Fernandez, Hamburg’s Jordan Torunarigha and Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma.

Okon would have been a natural long-term fit, but with the youngster pledging his future to a World Cup-bound South African side, the Super Eagles must now look elsewhere as they continue rebuilding their defensive core.