Super Eagles-eligible defender dropped as South Africa announce 2023 AFCON squad 

South Africa coach Hugo Broos announced his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, December 28.

SuperSport United central defender Ime Okon, who is eligible for Nigeria through his father and South Africa where he was born, is still there for the taking as he has been omitted from the final squad. 

Okon had been named in South Africa's 50-man provisional squad unveiled around two weeks ago but will not be on the plane to Ivory Coast, with 2017 AFCON-winning coach Broos opting for more experienced defenders. 

The 71-year-old has named three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six strikers on his roster. 

The South Africa squad is headlined by Al Ahly sensation Percy Tau - the reigning CAF Interclub Player of the Year winner.

Bafana Bafana are in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations, along with Tunisia, Mali and Namibia. 

South Africa will begin their final preparations for the AFCON on January 4 and depart for Ivory Coast on January 11, a day after a behind closed doors friendly with Lesotho.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: Instagram

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