Former Enyimba star Prince Olomu has called on South African fans to rally behind young defender Ime Okon , whose Bafana Bafana debut has stirred debate due to his Nigerian heritage, Soccernet.ng reports .
Okon, who was born in Johannesburg to a Nigerian father and South African mother, has played every minute of South Africa's campaign at the ongoing COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein. His assured displays at the heart of defence have helped Bafana Bafana reach the semi-finals, yet some fans have questioned his place in the team.
The 20-year-old's dual heritage has sparked a polarising reaction online, but Olomu, who resides in South Africa, believes the criticism is misplaced and divisive.
Ime Okon: Olomu's message to South AfricaOlomu also pointed to the Springboks rugby team and Bafana Bafana's own history of selecting dual-nationality players as further evidence that Okon deserves full support.
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A composed, ball-playing centre-back for SuperSport United, Okon made 20 league appearances this past season and earned a place in the league's Team of the Week.