As he approaches the expiry of his contract at the end of June, SuperSport United defender, Ime Okon, finds himself at the centre of interest from traditional giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Okon, who recently made his Bafana Bafana debut in the COSAFA Cup, is poised to become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the month.
This development comes despite SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews’ April confirmation to FARPost of a contract extension and a new international buyout clause. It now appears the extension did not materialise, leaving Okon free to pursue new opportunities.
The 21-year-old centre-back has drawn attention for his impressive performances with SuperSport. However, Matsatsantsa’s failure to renew his contract has allowed him to transfer without a fee.
The talented defender made his SuperSport debut during the 2023/24 season after joining the club from Randburg FC.
His agency had anticipated that SuperSport would offer him a new contract since January 2024, particularly as his initial contract was supposed to run until June 30, 2025. Despite some discussions indicating interest, SuperSport United did not present a new contract.
KAIZER CHIEFS AND ORLANDO PIRATES KEEN ON OKON, BUT….
Having previously participated in trials with Dynamo Kyiv, interest from the Ukrainian side was noted, though a transfer agreement wasn’t achieved. The coming weeks will be critical in determining where the young defender will continue his career next season.
He made 24 appearances and scored one goal in all competitions for SuperSport as they fought to maintain their top-flight status last campaign.
And as his reputation grows, the young defender has played four matches in the ongoing COSAFA tournament, even scoring when Bafana defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in the group stages.
Okon found himself in a dilemma, caught between representing his father’s homeland, Nigeria, and South Africa. The talented defender, born to a South African mother, is a key member of the Bafana Bafana squad competing in the COSAFA Cup, where they will face Angola in the final on Sunday.
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