Okon impresses Broos in Panama friendlies

Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, has praised former SuperSport United defender Ime Okon following the team’s recent FIFA international friendlies against Panama.

Okon featured in both of matches and appears to have made a strong impression on the Belgian mentor.

The Hannover 96 defender is enjoying regular game time in Germany’s Bundesliga 2 having made 18 league appearances and scored two goals this season.

Okon started both matches for Bafana, partnering with Khulumani Ndamane in the 1-1 draw in Durban last week, before lining up alongside Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the 2-1 defeat in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The World Cup preparation matches weren’t Okon’s first time with the national team, having made his debut at the 2025 COSAFA Cup.

Broos was full of praise for the young defender’s performances.

“I think that Ime satisfied me in the two games,” Broos said. “He’s a very good defender, he’s strong. He plays in a very good competition where every weekend he’s challenged as a defender. “So, I think for us it’s someone that makes us strong behind.”