Bundesliga star snubs Super Eagles, pledges future to Bafana Bafana

Hannover 96 defender Ime Okon has ended speculation over his international future, emphatically choosing South Africa over Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

The 21-year-old centre back, born to a Nigerian father and South African mother, had missed Bafana Bafana’s recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers through injury, sparking rumours of a switch. But Okon has now reaffirmed his loyalty, insisting his heart belongs to South Africa.

“People always talk, but at the end of the day, I know where my heart is,” Okon told Radio 2000.

“I played for South Africa at the COSAFA Cup, 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, who has broken into Hannover’s first team in the Bundesliga, featured in every match at the COSAFA Cup earlier this year and was named in Hugo Broos’ preliminary squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Asked whether Nigeria had ever made contact, Okon was unequivocal: “Not really, but even if they call me, South Africa is my home, and that’s all I have to really say.”

His declaration strengthens Bafana Bafana’s defensive ranks ahead of AFCON and shuts the door firmly on Super Eagles speculation.