Head coach of the senior national team of South Africa Hugo Broos has released the provisional list of players that will represent the country when they begin their campaign in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
South Africa will begin their campaign in the qualifiers in November with consecutively games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively. Ahead of the game, the coach has released a 44- man preliminary list.
He will trim it down to 23 before the first game on the 16th against Benin in Pretoria, the same selected players will be the squad for the game against Rwanda on the 19th.
A shock inclusion is Ime Okon, the 19 year old Supersport United defender, who is also eligible for Nigeria, the country of his father. He was first selected in their preliminary sqaud in September for the friendly games against Namibia and Dr Congo but he didn’t make the final shortlist of 23 players.
Shortly after he was asked about the chances of considering an offer from Nigeria and he stated that he is open minded, even through he currently feels South Africa wants him more.
“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 a country I was born and bred in, but Nigeria is my home where my dad is from”, he was quoted as telling
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) by Soccer Laduma.
“It’s very tough to make, but I feel like whenever the opportunity comes I’ll take it with both hands.
“I’d say for now it’s better with South Africa because with Hugo Broos he sees us around. With Nigeria, it’ll be quite tough, but I just do my best to also get a call up there.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
