Broos Axes Nigerian-Born Defender Ime Okon as South Africa Unveils Final AFCON 2025 Squad

|By Babatunji Wusu

South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has dropped Nigerian-born defender Ime Okon from Bafana Bafana’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Broos had listed Okon in his 55-man provisional squad released two weeks ago, raising expectations for the 21-year-old Hannover defender. However, the Belgian coach excluded him from the final 25-man roster unveiled on Monday.

Okon, who has earned five caps for Bafana Bafana, was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother.

South Africa will open camp for the continental competition on December 8.

Bafana Bafana will kick off their AFCON 2025 campaign against Angola on December 22, tackle Egypt on December 26, and wrap up their Group B fixtures against Zimbabwe on December 29.