Ime Okon: Bafana Bafana inspired by rise to 49th in FIFA rankings

Ime Okon says South Africa’s rise into the FIFA rankings’ top 50 has given Bafana Bafana extra motivation to continue improving.

South Africa moved up to 49th after their 5-0 victory over Eritrea in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The match in Cairo was also the team’s 500th since their return to international football in 1992.

The result kept the side among Africa’s top 10 and strengthened their position in Group D of the qualifying campaign. Bafana Bafana, the 1996 champions, lead the group with six points from their two matches.

Okon, who plays for Hannover 96, scored in South Africa’s 2-1 win against Guinea in their opening qualifier in Orlando last week. The centre-back said the latest ranking had encouraged the squad to target further progress.

“I mean, you know, it’s really motivating,” Okon told Safa.net.

“When you see the teams that are in front of you, you believe that you can actually move up more places.”

South Africa’s ranking improved after the victory over Eritrea, with Pitso Mosimane’s side breaking into the top 50 at number 49.

“You can’t go further down, you know, and, yeah, it’s very motivating,” Okon said. “We just look forward to getting better spots now.”