Nigerian-Born Defender Ime Okon Named in South Africa’s AFCON 2025 Preliminary Squad

South Africa have named Nigerian-born defender, Ime Okon, in their provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, scheduled to hold in Morocco. The 21-year-old centre-back, who was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, is one of 54 players shortlisted by Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, ahead of the continental tournament.

Okon, who plays in the South African Premier Soccer League, has already made five appearances for the national team and is seen as one of the rising defensive prospects in the region. Broos is expected to trim the list down to 24 final squad members before the December deadline.

According to a statement released by the South African Football Association, SAFA, the final list will be confirmed “in the coming days,” as preparations intensify for the competition. The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has given all participating nations a deadline of December 11 to submit their final squads.

Okon’s inclusion comes at a time when several African teams are finalising their player selections and dealing with injury concerns ahead of the tournament. His dual nationality had sparked debates among football followers in both Nigeria and South Africa, but the defender has since committed his international future to Bafana Bafana.

South Africa are hoping to improve on their recent performances as they head into AFCON 2025, where they will battle for a place on the podium against some of the continent’s traditional heavyweights.

With Broos set to make tough decisions in the coming days, Okon will be hoping to impress enough to secure a place in the final squad that will represent South Africa at Africa’s biggest football showpiece.