SuperSport United’s Ime Okon feels honoured he was included in Hugo Broos’ preliminary AFCON squad and believes their win over Moroka Swallows last week came at the right time for the club.
SuperSport had been on a poor run of league form, and also in the CAF Confederation Cup, but in the last week their fortunes changed on both fronts.
They came from a goal behind to beat Swallows last week, and Okon said they really needed that result.
“It was a very crucial win, we needed that win,” Okon told the club’s media department.
“Because it was now the third last game, you know, and we were just trying to get the win after a bad run.
So ja, it was a good motivator for us. And now we’re looking forward to our next games, trying to win, and hopefully winning them.”
Next up is Pirates, and Okon says the build up has been good. With Gavin Hunt resting a lot of players for Wednesday’s CAF Confederation Cup win over Al Hilal Benghazi, much of the team has also had some rest.
“The build up has been very good with everybody in the team has been determined, working hard,” Okon said.
“You can see that everybody is ready for this game, fighting, and when we get on that pitch, we know we’re gonna give it our all.”
The teenager said they need to be at their against Pirates, who he says have a very strong squad.
“I feel Pirates, they have a huge squad of good players, very good players, so just need to be ready for them,” he replied.
“And so it’s not I’m not saying Swallows is a bad team, they’re very good team, they gave us a run for money.
“But Pirates just have a huge squad of very quality players that we need to be aware of and fight.”
Okon was obviously delighted to see his name in Hugo Broos’ provisional 50-man squad for the AFCON.
“I’m very happy for that, you know,” he said.
“I’m glad that at least the coaches still see me, see that I’m working hard, trying to stay in the team and just fighting for my position.”
