BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria will come up against one of their own when they travel to Bloemfontein for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa, after Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos included Nigerian-born defender Ime Okon in his final squad.

Okon, who was born to a Nigerian father and South African mother but grew up in South Africa.

He has been making waves in the Premier Soccer League and has now earned a place in Broos’ squad for the back-to-back qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.

The 20-year-old centre-back could line up against the Super Eagles in Bloemfontein on September 9, in what is already being billed as a decisive clash in Group C.

While South Africa sit comfortably at the top of the group with 13 points, Nigeria are languishing in fourth with just seven points from six matches.

Victory for the Super Eagles would revive their campaign, but defeat could leave their hopes of reaching the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico hanging by a thread.

Before hosting Nigeria, Bafana Bafana will face Lesotho on September 5 at the Free State Stadium, which Lesotho are using as their temporary home ground.

Broos, according to a South African publication, IOL,  has cautioned his squad against complacency, reminding them that Lesotho held Nigeria to a shock draw in Uyo earlier in the qualifiers.

“The biggest mistake the South African players can make is underestimating Lesotho,” Broos warned. “We beat them before, so we must beat them again.”

Who is Ime Okon?

Ime Okon was born in 2004. He came through the youth ranks at SuperSport United before making his breakthrough into the first team, where his composure on the ball and aerial strength quickly caught the eye.

 Although eligible to represent Nigeria, Okon opted to represent South Africa at the international level, featuring in youth squads before earning his senior call-up under Hugo Broos.

For Nigeria, however, the spotlight will not only be on their desperate need for points but also on the intriguing subplot of facing Ime Okon — a player born to a Nigerian father but now donning South African colours in one of the continent’s fiercest football rivalries.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Sydney Mobbie, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndame, Ime Okon, Samukelo Kabini, Siyabonga Ngezana, Teboho Mokoena, Luke le Roux, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Lyle Foster, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Mohau Nkota and Mduduzi Shabalala.

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Rwanda have named six uncapped players in a 27-man squad as they prepare for a decisive World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo on September 6.

The Amavubi, under Algerian coach Adel Amrouche, will follow up their clash with the Super Eagles with another away tie against Zimbabwe at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Currently joint second in Group C with eight points – level with Benin but behind leaders South Africa on 13 – Rwanda remain firmly in contention for a place at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Nigeria are just a point behind on seven, while Zimbabwe sit bottom with six.

In line to win first international caps are locally based stars Djabilu Ishimwe (Etincelles), Christian Mukudju (Elite FC), Alex Nduwayo (APR), David Niyo (SC Kiyovu) and Emmanuel Nshimiyimana (Rayon Sports).

Notably, forward Lague Byiringiro (Police FC), defender Clement Niyigena, and Europe-based duo Samuel Gueulette and Hakim Sahabo were omitted from the squad.

The double-header against Nigeria and Zimbabwe could prove decisive for Rwanda’s World Cup hopes as the group campaign enters its crucial stages.

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There is growing disquiet in Rwanda following head coach Adel Amrouche’s decision to once again leave out star forward Lague Byiringiro from the Amavubi squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Byiringiro, who plies his trade with Police FC, has shown glimpses of regaining his best form during the recently concluded Inkera y’Abahizi tournament hosted by APR FC. However, the 23-year-old was a surprise omission from Amrouche’s 27-man list released this week.

Also left out were APR defender Clement Niyigena, Standard Liège youngster Hakim Sahabo and RAAL La Louvière midfielder Samuel Gueulette.

Instead, Amrouche has opted for fresh faces, handing debut call-ups to seven players including Alex Nduwayo (APR), Emmanuel Nshimiyimana (Rayon Sports), Claude Smith Kayitaba (Bedford Town), Christian Mukudju (Elite FC), Aly Enzo Hamon (Angoulême CFC), Djabilu Ishimwe (Etincelles) and David Niyo (SC Kiyovu).

Rwanda, who sit second in Group C with eight points – level with Benin but five behind leaders South Africa – will face Nigeria on September 6 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before travelling to Johannesburg to take on Zimbabwe at Orlando Stadium on September 9.

With Nigeria just a point adrift in fourth place, the clash in Uyo could prove decisive, but Amrouche’s decision to overlook Byiringiro has already sparked heated debate among supporters.

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