Ime Okon has been wearing the Bafana Bafana jersey for a while now, but his recent comments offer a clearer explanation of why a player eligible for Nigeria never seriously considered the Super Eagles, Footynaija.com reports.
Born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, the Hannover defender is eligible to play for both countries and is currently part of the Bafana Bafana squad at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
He played the full 90 minutes in South Africa’s 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic, continuing a run of senior international appearances that stretches back to his first call-up under Hugo Broos in 2023.
“I don’t know what to say, but at the end of the day, I know where my heart lies. I have played for South Africa in the COSAFA games and I scored,” Okon said.
In the midst of the difficulties between #Nigeria and #SouthAfrica, one can only feel for Ime Okon, who belongs to both countries. The @BafanaBafana player should not have to answer loyalty questions. It’s too sensitive a matter at the moment. pic.twitter.com/3RBC4qd1GL
“South Africa is everything to me. I don’t know anything besides South Africa. That is home.”
He also dismissed any notion that Nigerian football authorities had made a genuine push to recruit him. Asked whether Nigeria had approached him about representing the Super Eagles, Okon said there had been no serious attempt to convince him to switch allegiance.
“No, not really. But even if they call me, South Africa is my home. That’s what I have to say,” he added.
He had addressed the same question once before, back in March, describing the decision as one that was never difficult for him to make in the first place. His commitment has held despite Nigeria’s far stronger football pedigree on the continent, including three AFCON titles and an Olympic gold, achievements that have tempted other dual-nationality players in the past but never moved him.
He was also clear that Nigeria’s own absence from this World Cup had nothing to do with his stance, stressing that South Africa had always been where his heart belonged regardless of how the Super Eagles’ qualifying campaign played out.
