South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, has once again included highly-rated defender Ime Okon in its preliminary squad, sparking renewed debate about his international future.

Okon, 20, was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and South African mother but was raised solely by his mother after losing his father as a baby.

He currently plays in Germany with Hannover 96 in the second tier of the Bundesliga, having joined from SuperSport United, where he rose to prominence in 2023.

While his inclusion has delighted sections of the South African football community, it has also triggered sharp reactions.

Many Bafana supporters remain divided over his call-up, while Nigerian fans, boasting of a surplus of talent, have cheekily claimed they are “helping South Africa” by producing players like Okon.

This is not the first time Okon has been considered for Bafana duty. He was named in a provisional squad in 2023 ahead of a FIFA World Cup qualifier but was later dropped.

Since then, his stock has continued to rise. He made 18 appearances in the DStv Premiership under coach Gavin Hunt and featured six times in continental competition before moving abroad.

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and legend Andre Arendse has repeatedly warned that South Africa risks losing Okon to Nigeria if swift action is not taken.

“Ime Okon is a super talent, but we better be careful we don’t lose him,” Arendse said. “He is definitely one for the future. I know what I am talking about because I’ve had the privilege of playing behind some of the best defenders in South Africa.”

Despite being named in multiple provisional squads by coach Hugo Broos, Okon is yet to make his senior debut for South Africa, leaving the door open for Nigeria’s Super Eagles should they decide to make a move.

With his towering presence at centre-back and growing reputation in Europe, Okon’s case is shaping into another dual-nationality battle—a familiar tug-of-war in African football.

For now, all eyes will be on Broos’ final squad list, and whether Okon finally earns his long-awaited Bafana debut—or drifts closer to Nigeria’s green and white.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By KUNLE SOLAJA

The Super Eagles currently sit in a precarious position in Group C of the CAF 2026 qualifiers. With just seven points from six matches, the Super Eagles trail South Africa, Rwanda and Benin.

To realistically stay in contention before December’s World Cup draw, here’s what the fixtures demand:

• Nigeria vs Rwanda (Home, 6 September 2025)

Rwanda are second on the Group C table. Victory in Uyo is non-negotiable if Nigeria want to wrest control of the group. Another slip ends Nigeria’s dream. The target should be three points and, if possible, a clean sheet to help goal-difference tiebreaks.

• South Africa vs Nigeria (Away, 9 September 2025 – Bloemfontein)

Playing in the high altitude of Bloemfontein, the Super Eagles face their fiercest rivals in the group. South Africa already secured a point in Uyo and will see this as a chance to widen the gap. A win keeps Nigeria alive, but defeat could end the World Cup 2026 dream.

A win would be a huge bonus and swing momentum Nigeria’s way, especially if South Africa stumbles in their preceding tie with Lesotho.

• Lesotho vs Nigeria (Away, October 2025)

By the time of this match, Lesotho are expected to gain three points from South Africa’s ineligible-player sanction, reshaping the table.

With the likelihood of the fixture being held in South Africa, conditions won’t favour Nigeria. Dropping points here would virtually end qualification hopes. It is therefore mandatory that Nigeria target three points.

• Nigeria vs Benin (Home, October 2025)

Benin have been the group’s disruptors and have previously hurt Nigeria. Coached by former Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr, they are compact, counterpunch well, and are strong on set-pieces. Head-to-head could prove decisive; Nigeria must reverse earlier damage and build a goal difference.

For the Super Eagles to be relevant participants in the December Final draw of the 2026 World Cup, a lot of mathematics will be involved. The summary stands thus:

• September Window Goal: 4–6 points (beat Rwanda at home; draw or win against South Africa in Bloemfontein).
• October Window Goal: 6 points (win away to Lesotho; beat Benin at home).

Total Aim before December: 10–12 points from these four fixtures to remain in control of a direct slot — or, worst case, to be among the strongest runners-up.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s path to the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026 will become clearer on Friday, December 5, when the final draw for the tournament takes place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.

The draw, announced jointly by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House, is more than a ceremonial milestone.

 For Nigeria, still battling through the African qualifying series, the Washington event could define the scale of the challenge that awaits if the Super Eagles secure one of Africa’s coveted slots.

Unlike previous editions, the 2026 tournament—co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams.

Ten nations have already sealed qualification, including Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Iran, and debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan. By December, 42 teams will have confirmed their participation, with the remaining six to be decided in the inaugural intercontinental play-off tournament next March in North America.

For Nigeria, the December draw is layered with significance. First, it serves as a reminder that qualification remains unfinished business.

With the Super Eagles caught in a tightly contested African qualifying pool, every dropped point could prove costly.

Second, the expanded tournament format means Africa has a record nine direct slots plus a potential tenth via the intercontinental play-offs.

This widens Nigeria’s prospects but also intensifies competition from emerging African sides like Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt, who have grown stronger on the global stage.

The symbolic choice of Washington’s Kennedy Center also underscores FIFA’s ambition to marry culture and sport in staging the biggest single-sport event ever.

For Nigeria, however, the central concern remains footballing preparedness—ensuring the team, currently under scrutiny for inconsistency and injuries, does not stumble in the decisive qualifying matches leading up to the draw.

By the time the world tunes in at 12:00 local time (18:00 CET) on December 5, 2025, to watch the groupings unveiled, Nigeria will hope to have secured its ticket, avoiding the agony of missing out as it did in 2006 and 2022.

Anything less would reduce the Washington spectacle to a painful reminder of lost opportunity.

The countdown to the Estadio Azteca’s opening match on June 11, 2026, is officially underway. For Nigeria, the clock ticks louder—not just towards the draw in Washington, but towards redemption on the global stage.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H