Latest news with #ImeOkon
The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs target gets on the score sheet
Kaizer Chiefs have expressed an interest in two talented SuperSport United defenders. Can they pull off an audacious move? 21-year-old Ime Okon is already a pillar in defence for Matsatsantsa. Chiefa are also looking at left-back Aphiwe Baliti. Kabelo Dlamini scored from the penalty spot and Ime Okon rose highest to plant a header in the back of the net as South Africa claimed a key 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the COSAFA Cup. 'We wanted to respond with intent, and the boys showed character,' Vmanager ela Khumalo said post-match, as quoted in a recent X update from the South African Football Association. 'We showed resilience and took our chances when it mattered,' Okon told reporters. 'Orlando Pirates are emptying the recycling bin now' Recent reports linked Chiefs with a move for versatile 23-year-old Aphiwe Baliti. Now, outstanding central defender Ime Okon is the next name on their wish list. His contract with Matsatsantsa reportedly expires at the end of June 2025. Is Ime Okon the real deal? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Khumalo still hopes for Cosafa semis berth
Bafana Bafana Cosafa Cup coach Vela Khumalo remains hopeful his troops will make it into the semifinals of this year's tournament. The national second-string team kept that dream alive with a 2-0 win in their group A fixture against Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday. Kabelo Dlamini converted a first-half penalty, while Ime Okon headed in a second goal near the end to make sure of the points. Coach Khumalo said the weekend's victory was a huge confidence boost. SA are grouped with Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Mozambique. Mozambique head the group A with four points from two games ahead of their final fixture against Zimbabwe, followed by South Africa (three), Mauritius (two) and Zimbabwe (one). 'This is the boost that we needed; however, we are still hopeful,' Khumalo said. 'We're still saying Mozambique must win against Zimbabwe, then you know. 'We need to win the remaining game now. We need to win against Mauritius and than we take it from there.' After their opening 1-0 defeat to Mozambique, the coach said they went into Saturday's match under pressure. 'When you join football, it is pressure on its own. So add that we are hosts, we didn't start well, and we are missing chances. That gives you pressure. 'However, after our analysis we were very positive that we are at least going to get goals from this and win the game and move forward. 'When we played the first game against Mozambique, we played 4-2-3-1. We then said let's have more numbers because we were a little bit thin on top. 'So, we opted for 3-4-3 and we brought in the two 10s that were coming inside to support our striker. We did that because we knew that when they play SA, they will go low block.' SA's final group game against Mauritius is at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday (3pm). The Herald
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs top brass make their move for exciting young defender
Kaizer Chiefs have a good mix of youth and experience in their defensive ranks, but their latest target is one of the hottest properties in South Africa. Ime Okon has broken onto the scene for SuperSport United, quickly becoming a key pillar for Matsatsantsa at age 21. With Rushwin Dortley gradually returning to full fitness after knee surgery, Chiefs are looking to future-proof their back four. RUMOUR: Kaizer Chiefs lose out on R27 million man Recent reports linked Chiefs with a move for versatile 23-year-old Aphiwe Baliti. Now, outstanding central defender Ime Okon is the next name on their wish list. His contract with Matsatsantsa reportedly expires at the end of June 2025. Chiefs have reportedly ditched their interest in Bafana and Esperance winger Elias Mokwana. Instead, their eggs are all in the Oswin Appollis basket. 'If you were talking about Appollis, I could have agreed with you. It's also an open secret that Chiefs are interested in him. The negotiations are believed to also be at an advanced stage as there are a few logistics they are working on, but not Elias Mokwana,' an insider told Soccer Laduma. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs interested in free signing of top PSL prospect!
Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to make a squad overhaul ahead of the next season, which promises to be busy. Chiefs may have failed to qualify for next season's MTN8 but they won the Nedbank Cup meaning continental football. That will mean traveling throughout the continent, while balancing out the domestic competitions. This, could prove to be a rigorous schedule for Chiefs , with the amount of games they'd be playing weekly. This would then present a challenge to their management to ensure they have adequate squad depth to be able to cope with it all. As it stands, they have a squad filled with more quantity than quality. They will have to attack the coming market with intent if they're to change their fortunes. It is therefore no surprise that they have been linked to quite a few players of a high calibre, to try and improve their fortunes. Chiefs will also have to move smarter in the market and target younger players with PSL experience. This seems to already be happening, as earlier in the week, this publication reported negotiations for Aphiwe Baliti. The 23-year-old is currently at SuperSport United and is earmarked to compete for the left-back position next season. Now according to Unplayable, he may not be the only youngster from Matsatsantsa to join Chiefs next week. According to the X account, Chiefs are also interested in signing Ime Okon on a free transfer. '𝕋ℝ𝔸ℕ𝕊𝔽𝔼ℝ 𝕌ℙ𝔻𝔸𝕋𝔼 Two players from SuperSport United linked with Kaizer Chiefs; Aphiwe Baliti and Ime Okon. Okon's contract with SSU expires 30 June 2025.' .Wrote the publication Okon has previous been linked with moves abroad and recently made his Bafana Bafana debut in the COSAFA Cup. He has been touted as a top prospect for the country at just 20-years-old. Chiefs fans, would you love to sign him on a free? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs set to snatch rising star Ime Okon from rivals
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly closing in on a major signing ahead of the 2025/2026 season, with highly-rated defender Ime Okon believed to be on the brink of joining the Soweto giants. The 21-year-old's contract with SuperSport United ends this month, allowing him to leave as a free agent, and Chiefs have wasted no time in making their move. After lifting the Nedbank Cup, Amakhosi are determined to build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts under incoming coach Nasreddine Nabi. Okon, who has drawn attention with his physical presence and calmness on the ball, is understood to be a key piece in that puzzle. 'They (Kaizer Chiefs) see him (Ime Okon) as a long-term solution at centre-back. I mean, he is only 21 and he could challenge (Inacio) Miguel, who is almost 30, for that position. On top of that, his contract expires soon,' a source told The South African . Okon previously caught the eye of scouts abroad, having attended trials with Danish top-tier side FC Midtjylland and Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv over the past 18 months. Despite impressing, no deal came to fruition, and he returned to see out his contract with Matsatsantsa. This presented Chiefs with a golden opportunity, and they appear poised to capitalise. Okon recently featured for Bafana Bafana in the COSAFA Cup. Which further strengthens his reputation as one of South Africa's most promising young centre-backs. His potential, youth, and international exposure make him an attractive prospect for a club eager to rebuild and restore glory. With negotiations believed to be at an advanced stage. And it looks increasingly likely that Okon will don the black and gold of Amakhosi next season. Will Okon be good enough to wear the Kaizer Chiefs jersey? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
