SuperSport United assistant coach Andre Arendse recently hailed defender Ime Okon as a future prospect, calling for South Africa not to lose the player but Brighton Mhlongo believes that national team selections should be based on merit.
The youngster has landed on the radar of several European clubs, with indications that clubs have already made enquiries for the highly-rated defender.
READ: Another European Club Enters Race For SSU Youngster
"I think he is super talented, a super talent. He is one for the future. I know what I'm talking about. I don't want to mention names but I had the privilege to play behind some of the best defenders in South Africa," Arendse told journalists in a press conference last week.
Arendse also expressed concerns about the possibility of losing the 20-year-old to Nigeria. Okon, who is South African-born with Nigerian paternal heritage, qualifies to represent the Super Eagles at national level.
READ: SuperSport Holding Out For Big Europe Offer For Okon?
Okon has mainstay for Gavin Hunt this season after bursting through from the club's development ranks and made 27 appearances in all competitions so far.
However, retired goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo believes that Okon should be selected on merit for the national team and not because of fears of losing the player to Nigeria.
"The reasons behind giving him a cap, I don't fully agree with them to say let's keep him because someone might snatch him," Mhlongo told Sports Night Amplified.
"For me, I feel like if he deserves (than select him). It's high time players get called up to the national team on merit, that's it," he added.
Bafana are in Algeria to participate in the FIFA Series.
