The battle between Nigeria and South Africa to secure the international future of Supersport United defender, Ime Okon, has become more intense, with former Super Eagles international goalkeeper, Peterside Idah, urging the promising talent to consider playing for the Super Eagles instead of the Bafana Bafana.

Idah who spent over 10 years playing in the South African league, made the call on Friday following intense pressure by South African sports personalities for the 20-year-old to commit his international future to Bafana instead of the Eagles.

Ex-Bafana Bafana captain, Thulani Hlatshwayo, first threw the gauntlet when he ‘threaten’ to stop helping Okon if he chose Nigeria over South Africa.

The former Orlando Pirates defender who said he has been impressed with Okon’s commanding performances in the league, explained why he thinks the youngster should pick his country of birth over the West African giants.

“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 told reporters in a recent interview.

“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.

“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.

“I told him I am going to stop helping him if he chooses 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,” Hlatshwayo said.

Okon who was born in Johannesburg to a Nigerian father and a South African mother, is a central defender who made his debut in the Premier Soccer League only this season and has immediately turned himself into a regular with the team.

He was even entrusted with the armband in the Caf Confederation Cup match against Mordern Future earlier in March and impressed in the match that former Bafana Bafana defender, Andre Arendse, said he has the potential to become better than the legendary Lucas Radebe.

The young defender was named in Bafana Bafana’s 50-man provisional squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but did not make the final 27-man list to the continental showpiece, which has further heightened the debate on his international allegiance as he is eligible to play for both Nigeria and South Africa.

The youngster himself is yet to publicly declare his international allegiance as he said he still undecided about his future.

In an interview recently,
Okon disclosed that he does not want to be pressured about his future, saying it will be a tough decision for him.

“I just don’t want any pressure, but I just keep my mind open to both and whatever comes first then we’ll see what happens because it’s quite a tough decision for me.

“South Africa is the country I was born and bred in, but Nigeria now is my home where my dad is from. I’d say for now it’s better with South Africa because with Hugo Broos sees us around. With Nigeria, it’ll be quite tough, but I just do my best to also get a call up there.”