South Africa’s Coach, Hugo Broos, has included Nigerian-born star, Imeh Okon in Bafana Bafana’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Super Eagles and Lesotho.
Okon, who was born in South Africa to Nigerian parents, was included in Broos’ preliminary list for next month’s games, and yesterday’s confirmation of the final squad means that the youngster will face his father’s country in the race for the World Cup, billed to be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico next year.
South Africa will play against Lesotho ‘away’ at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, on September 5 and host Nigeria at the same venue on September 9.
Lesotho, without a FIFA-sanctioned stadium, are playing their home games in South Africa. Currently riding high at the top of Group C with an impressive 13 points from six matches, Broos’ squad believe they can qualify for the World Cup in North America. With a five-point cushion over second-placed Rwanda and a significant gap over third-placed Benin, Bafana Bafana now find themselves in a strong position heading into these decisive matches.
Nigeria occupy a disappointing fourth place with only seven Group C log points. But the Super Eagles are still hopeful of overtaking the South Africans with victories in their two games against Rwanda and Bafana Bafana, coupled with the expected three points, three goals deduction from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during their first game against Lesotho in the qualifying series.
Before the announcement of the squad, Broos emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant against a resurgent Lesotho side. “The biggest mistake the South African players can make is underestimating Lesotho,” he remarked.
“Remember this Lesotho team held Nigeria to a draw in Nigeria, so we must not make the mistake of underestimating them. We beat Lesotho before, so we must beat them again.”
Broos noted that, despite Nigeria’s poor start, they remain a threat, asserting that “we knew from the start that the team we had to beat is Nigeria, and even though they started badly, they can still qualify.”
Apart from Okon, other players in the squad are skipper Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Sydney Mobbie, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndame, Samukelo Kabini, Siyabonga Ngezana, Teboho Mokoena, Luke le Roux and Bathusi Aubaas.
Others are Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Lyle Foster, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Mohau Nkota and Mduduzi Shabalala.
