Broos picks Ime Okon, 47 others in Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad against S’Eagles

Nigerian-born emerging South African star, Ime Okon, is among the 46 players listed by Bafana Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos, for next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifying games against Lesotho and Nigeria.

Okon, who is of Nigerian parentage, but was born and raised in South Africa, is one of the new stars in Bafana Bafana’s horizon, with Broos tipping him to form the crux of the Bafana Bafana in the near future.

Broos announced his preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, yesterday, with most of the familiar faces in the list, including that of Sipho Mbule, Mohau Nkota who recently moved to Saudi Arabia.

Broos’ charges will take on Lesotho and Nigeria on September 5 and 9 respectively in their attempt to qualify for the 2026 global showpiece.

Orlando Pirates youngsters Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng have also cracked the nod.

As expected, Mamelodi Sundowns dominate this preliminary squad with the majority of their top stars making the cut.

There are concerns, though, with two of Sundowns players in Khuliso Mudau and Themba Zwane who have also been included.

Mudau is yet to kick a ball for Sundowns this season while Zwane suffered an injury against Pirates last week.

Zwane is expected to be out for at least two months, according to his Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.

Broos is expected to trim the squad down to 23 closer to the dates of these two crucial fixtures.

Nigerians are still waiting for Coach Eric Chelle to name his team for the games against Rwanda and South Africa, which the Super Eagles must win to retain hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.

Chelle, who led the Super Eagles B team to a fruitless campaign at the ongoing African Nations Championship in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, returned to the country following the team’s ouster from the championship in the first round.

Nigeria is currently fourth with seven points from six games in Group C of the World Cup qualifying series led by South Africa on 13 points. Rwanda and Benin Republic are second and third respectively with eight points each.