As the destiny-shaping World Cup qualifying encounter of Nigeria and South Africa approaches, the South Africans have discovered a new sensation in their fold who is of Nigerian origin.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
Nigerian-born Ime Okon has caught the attention of football followers in South Africa and there is great pressure to draft him into the Bafana Bafana squad before Nigeria calls him up.
Okon, a 20-year is is one of the breakthrough young stars for SuperSport United this season together with Shandre Campbell, holds dual citizenship because his father is Nigerian and his mother is South African.
He plays for SuperSport United as a central defender. Bafana Bafana legend Andre Arendse has urged South Africa to be decisive and secure the future of highly-promising youngster.
He has been named in provisional squads a few times by Bafana coach Hugo Broos but he is yet to earn a cap, and Arendse is concerned South Africa may lose a “super talent” to rivals Nigeria.
As a sign of his burgeoning career, the tall central defender has made 18 appearances for coach Gavin Hunt in the DStv Premiership and has tasted continental football with six appearances in the Confederation Cup.
“Ime Okon is the next one on the radar [of Ronwen Williams when it comes to development] and I don’t want to hype him up or put him out there and say he is the best because he is only 20,” said Arendse, who is assistant coach to Hunt.
“He is a super talent but I am not intending to put pressure on him though I know he can handle it. He is starting to prove he can handle pressure during games and we need to look after him.
“You spoke about dual citizenship and we better be careful we don’t lose him because he is definitely one for the future. I know what I am talking about because I have had the privilege of playing behind some of the best defenders in South Africa.
“I don’t need to mention names, you guys know who I am talking about, but I am telling you in a few year’s time he’s going to be up there.”
Arendse was speaking as United prepared to travel to Richards Bay for their tricky Nedbank Cup last 16 clash.
Okon’s club-mate, Thulani “Tyson” Hlatshwayo has also joined a growing list of personalities urging South Africa to be decisive and secure the future of Okon.
“To be able to crack the Nigerian national team, he needs to play in Europe — but we need him in Bafana Bafana. When you look at our centre backs, Mothobi Mvala has injuries, there is also Grant Kekana and Siyanda Xulu — and I read Siyabonga Ngezana had an issue with his travel documents, but I don’t know what is happening there.
“His father is from Nigeria and mother from South Africa. He grew up here, he studied here and coach Gavin Hunt took him from Randburg Football Club. He is South African and he speaks Afrikaans.”
Hlatshwayo said there is banter among players whenever South Africa plays against Nigeria and he has jokingly threatened not to help him if he supports the Super Eagles against Bafana.
“Every time there is Afcon, when Nigeria is playing he is with Nigeria and when South Africa is playing against Nigeria we have a lot of banter in the team. I told him I am going to stop helping him if he chose to play for Nigeria because there are things in his game that need to be polished.
“The more he plays, the more experience he is going to get and he will do well. I don’t know if it has something to do with him being young but he is quick and strong and we complement one another very well.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
