Bafana Bafana’s domestic strength gives South Africa World Cup advantage, says Ime Okon

Bafana Bafana defender Ime Okon believes South Africa’s reliance on locally based players is giving the team a significant advantage as they prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match against co-hosts Canada.

South Africa have one of the strongest domestic contingents at the tournament, ranking among the top five teams in the world and first in Africa for the number of players selected from their own domestic league.

Of Hugo Broos’ 26-man squad, 19 players currently compete in the South African top flight. Reigning league champions Orlando Pirates and newly crowned 2026 CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns provide the largest share of the squad, with eight players from each club.

The depth of the squad’s connection to South African football extends beyond those who remain in the domestic league. Every member of the group has roots in the country’s football system, with the exception of Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole, who began his professional career in Portugal.

Okon, who previously played for SuperSport United and has extensive experience of the local game, says that familiarity has helped the players develop a strong understanding of one another. He believes that relationship could prove particularly valuable in the pressure of a World Cup knockout tie.

“I think it’s very much of an advantage, you know? Everybody really understands each other,” Okon told journalists ahead of Sunday’s clash.

The defender added that the squad’s shared experience of playing in the same league has helped the team build its cohesion quickly.

“I was playing in the same league just a season ago, so the understanding amongst all of us is really good. That’s something we have used to our advantage. It helps us a lot as a team, it helps us work harder, understand each other much better, and just do our best.”

South Africa will face Canada in a highly anticipated Round of 32 fixture at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CAT.

The match comes after Bafana Bafana made history by progressing beyond the group stage of the World Cup for the first time. Victory against the co-hosts would bring another landmark achievement for Broos’ side, securing their place in the Round of 16.

The team’s domestic-heavy selection has therefore become more than a statistical distinction. For Okon, the familiarity created through regular competition in the South African top flight has given the players a common understanding and helped them cope with the demands of international football.

With Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns supplying 16 members of the squad between them, South Africa’s success now depends on whether that established domestic chemistry can translate into another decisive performance on the global stage.