At the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Esther Okoronkwo was chosen as the Super Falcons’ Fans’ Player of the Tournament.
The statement, made Tuesday via the team’s official 𝕏 feed, was a resounding validation of Esther Okoronkwo’s key role in Nigeria’s title-winning run in Morocco.
“Introducing the Player of the Tournament for the #WAFCON2024 Fans… OON’s Esther Okoronkwo. The clutch. Written. The Super Falcons official 𝕏 page declared, “crowned by the people.”
The high-stakes knockout stages were where the 28-year-old forward gave his best effort. She dominated the scoreboard with a goal and two assists in Nigeria’s 5-0 thumping of Zambia in the quarterfinals. However, the final cemented his place in WAFCON history.
In Rabat, behind Morocco, the hosts, Esther Okoronkwo came through in the 60th minute to convert a penalty under pressure with cool-headed poise.
Ten minutes later, Okoronkwo gave Folashade Ijamilusi a deft assist, bringing Nigeria back to level two goals. She then hit a beautiful free-kick in the last seconds of the contest, which found Jennifer Echegini, who headed home the game-winning goal in the 88th minute.
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She became a fan favorite after her valiant actions earned her Player of the Match award in the final.
In a social media vote conducted Monday, Okoronkwo was unsurprisingly chosen as the best choice, defeating a shortlist of five teammates, which included Ashleigh Plumptre, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ijamilusi, and Echegini.
All six were essential to Nigeria’s undefeated season under coach Justine Madugu, but Okoronkwo’s clutch goal at crucial times won the supporters over.
Her praise didn’t end there. Along with three other Nigerian players—goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, right-back Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who also took home the official Best Player of the Tournament award—Okoronkwo was also included in the CAF Team of the Tournament.
