Erstwhile Bafana Bafana captain, Thulani Hlatswayo, has advised SuperSport United defender, Ime Okon to choose South Africa over Nigeria.
Okon was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father.
The 20-year-old is eligible to represent both Nigeria and South Africa.
Hlatswayo has however advised the young defender to pick South Africa ahead of Nigeria.
“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 Goal.
“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.”
Okon has made 18 league appearances for SuperSport United this season, helping the team to third place on the PSL table.