Ime Okon

Ime Okon grew up in Johannesburg, where he came through the youth ranks at Randburg FC before joining SuperSport United in 2022. He worked his way into the first team there, making his professional debut in the 2023–24 season and staying with the club through 2024/25, when his contract expired.

That summer brought interest from several directions. Kaizer Chiefs, FC Midtjylland and Orlando Pirates were all mentioned as possible destinations, and SuperSport United reportedly wanted developmental compensation for him. Okon chose a different route altogether, moving to Hannover 96 on a free transfer on 1 July 2025 and signing a four-year contract. He settled quickly into the 2. Bundesliga, wearing the number 20 shirt and making 25 appearances in his first season. He has continued in the side into the following campaign.

His international story moved just as fast. Eligible for both Nigeria, through his father, and South Africa, through his mother, he chose to represent Bafana Bafana, saying it was where he felt at home. He made his senior debut in June 2025 in a COSAFA Cup match against Mozambique, and scored his first goal for the national team three days later against Zimbabwe. He was left out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad, but earned a recall when South Africa named their 26-man group for the 2026 World Cup.