Sports
Bafana Legend Hlatshwayo Urges Okon To Spurn Super Eagles For South Africa
Eko Hot Blog reports that in a patriotic appeal, former Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has urged SuperSport United’s rising star Ime Okon to pledge his international allegiance to South Africa, his country of birth, over Nigeria.
Okon, a 20-year-old central defender, has caught the attention of both nations with his impressive performances in the Premier Soccer League this season.
Editor’s Pick:
- FG Begins New Expatriate Job Policy, Violators Risk N3m Fine
- Price Of Block In Nigeria As Cement Sells For Over N10,000
- Osimhen Misses Chance To Extend Scoring Streak As Napoli Secures Historic Victory Over Juventus.
Born in Johannesburg to a Nigerian father, Okon is eligible to represent either the Super Eagles or the Bafana Bafana. While the young defender has remained open to both possibilities, Hlatshwayo, who played alongside Okon at SuperSport United, believes Okon’s future lies with the South African national team.
“I have told him he needs to stay in South Africa because it will be difficult for him to crack the Nigeria national team,” Hlatshwayo stated. “To be able to crack the Nigerian national team, he needs to play in Europe — but we need him in Bafana Bafana.”
Hlatshwayo emphasized Okon’s deep-rooted connections to South Africa, where he grew up, studied, and honed his skills under the tutelage of coach Gavin Hunt. “He is South African and he speaks Afrikaans,” Hlatshwayo added, highlighting Okon’s cultural ties to the country.
The former Orlando Pirates defender also revealed a playful dynamic within the SuperSport United dressing room, where Okon’s divided loyalties often spark friendly banter. “He is a rebel, 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,” Hlatshwayo said with a chuckle.
Further Reading:
- Military Welcomes Sunday Igboho’s Offer To Combat Insecurity In South-West
- Bella Shmurda Opens Up On The Side Effects Of Smoking Weed
- Oyo LG Election: APC Raises Alarm, Threatens To Withdraw Candidates Over BVAS Controversy
As Okon continues to impress on the domestic stage, the tug-of-war for his international allegiance between the Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles is set to intensify, with Hlatshwayo’s passionate appeal adding weight to South Africa’s pursuit of the talented defender.
Click here to watch video of the week
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at ekohotblog@gmail.com. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
