Bafana Bafana's opportunity to pounce on a rising youngster remains in the balance, after head coach Hugo Broos came short of settling the contest with Nigeria.
South Africa have over the years given a platform to rising young defenders and turned them into legends or big stars, at least going as far back as Aaron Mokoena, who made his debut for the national team at the age of 18, which was a record.
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The record set by Mokoena was later broken by Rivaldo Coetzee in 2014, as he became the youngest player to represent Bafana at age 17 and was tipped to have a great career in Europe as a rising centre-back but injuries affected his chances and he was eventually converted to a defensive midfielder by his current club Mamelodi Sundowns (Coetzee's Bafana record was broken by Fagrie Lakay a month later).
Another one of the best centre-backs, whose career was catapulted by the national team is Mbulelo Mabizela, who made his debut for Bafana after just three months of experience in the PSL, aged 21. Mabizela went on to become the youngest Bafana captain at age 22.
Bafana could have another hugely talented young centre-back in SuperSport United defender Ime Okon knocking on the door, who was selected in the senior national team preliminary squad after just two games for his club this season but did not make the final 23-man squad for friendlies against Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The current FIFA rules allow a player to switch nationalities if he plays no more than three competitive matches for a national team in question before turning 21.
However, a player cannot switch allegiances if he plays for a particular national team in the FIFA World Cup or continental tournaments like AFCON.
The young centre-back recently told SABC Sport that he is yet to make up his mind on which country he will represent internationally.
"I just don't want any pressure, but I just keep my mind open to both and whatever comes first then we'll see what happens because it's quite a tough decision for me. South Africa is a country I was born and bred in, but Nigeria is my home where my dad is from," he said.
READ: Am I The Only One Confused By Broos' Selections?"It's very tough to make, but I feel like whenever the opportunity comes I'll take it with both hands.
"I'd say for now it's better with South Africa because with Hugo Broos he sees us around. With Nigeria, it'll be quite tough, but I just do my best to also get a call up there," he added.
Okon has played seven out of eight league matches for SuperSport and ironically competes for a starting berth with Bafana vice captain Siyanda Xulu in the heart of Matsatsantsa's defence in competition to partner with former Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo.
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