Just under a year ago, Ime Okon found himself playing in the Gauteng Development League; however, the SuperSport United star has grown in leaps and bounds and found himself selected as part of coach Hugo Broos' latest Bafana Bafana squad.
Read: 3 Weeks After Chiefs, Latest On Billiat
Gavin Hunt, as he so often has done, might have unearthed yet another gem in Okon.
The lanky defender has certainly skipped a number of steps by moving from Randburg AFC's GDL side, to SuperSport United's DStv Diski Challenge before eventually being snapped up by Hunt's first team, where he has already featured in three matches alongside Thulani Hlatshwayo in the heart of the Matsatsantsa defence this season.
He was previously with the Orlando Pirates development team.
So convincing has the 18-year-old been that Hunt has described him as SuperSport's best player this season despite him suffering a thumb injury that saw him miss out on their most recent win against Cape Town City.
"Well, our best player has been Ime for the last three games, the 18-year-old centre-back, and then he broke his thumb, so he couldn't play. He's been our best player, by far… and he couldn't play.
"He's been our best player by far and he will be. He's a fantastic player," Hunt said of the centre-back after their 1-0 win over City last week.
It appears that Hugo Broos echoes Hunt's sentiments as he has included the teenager in his preliminary 36-man squad for two friendly matches in September against Namibia and DR Congo.
Okon is the youngest member of the current squad and it remains to be seen whether he will be included in the final squad that will do battle in September.
Read: Latest On Tau After Being Spotted At Sundowns
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
