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NEWS: Andre Arendse pledges to tie down prodigious SuperSport United defender Ime Okon

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse is emphasising the importance of retaining Ime Okon, whom he considers a prodigious talent with the potential to become a star in the future.

Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse is emphasising the importance of retaining Ime Okon, whom he considers a prodigious talent with the potential to become a star in the future.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The 20-year-old centre-back has dual citizenship, as his father is from Nigeria and his mother is from South Africa.

Matsantsantsa coach Gavin Hunt spotted the promising youngster from an amateur side Randburg FC and promoted him from the Diski Challenge.

Since then, Okon made his debut in the DStv Premiership at the start of the 2023/24 season.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos included the player in his Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad but he didn’t make it to the final 23-man squad that represented the country in Ivory Coast.

Speaking at the Nedbank Cup press conference on Wednesday Bafana legend said South Africa must quickly make a move in the acquisition of the player’s services.

“Ime Okon is the next one on that radar and I don’t want to hype him up and put him out there and say he is the best cause he is 20 years old,” said Arendse.

“But he is a super talent, I’m not putting pressure on him because he can handle the pressure; he’s starting to prove it in games; we need to look after him.”

“And you spoke about dual citizenship; we better be careful we don’t lose him; he’s one for the future,” he said.

“I know what I’m talking about because I had the privilege of playing behind some of the best defenders in South Africa.”

“And I don’t even need to mention names, you guys know who I’m talking about, and I’m telling you now that in a few year’s time, he’s going to be up there and even better than those ones,” he concluded.

The Swanky Boys will travel to Durban to face Richards Bay at King Zweithini Stadium on Saturday 16 March.

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