Esther Okoronkwo: Nigeria’s Comeback Queen and WAFCON 2024 Star

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On a snow-covered pitch at York Lions Stadium in Toronto, with visibility reduced and temperatures plummeting, Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo produced magic. In just 27 minutes, she scored a hat-trick that sent AFC Toronto into the inaugural Northern Super League final. It was vintage Okoronkwo, clinical, composed, and clutch when it mattered most.

 

From Nigeria to America

Born on March 27, 1997, in Nigeria, Esther Ijeoma Okoronkwo grew up in a childhood marked by constant movement and adaptation. Her family eventually settled in Richmond, Texas, in the United States. It was in Texas that her football journey truly began around the age of five or six, though she never initially envisioned a professional career.

Growing up with an older brother who was a devoted Manchester United supporter, Okoronkwo naturally became a Red Devils fan during Cristiano Ronaldo’s first spell at Old Trafford. She played predominantly with boys and men throughout her youth, developing the physical robustness and competitive edge that would define her playing style.

 

Collegiate Success and the Path to Europe

Okoronkwo’s route to professional football ran through the American collegiate system. She attended Northeast Texas Community College before transferring to Lamar University, where she made her mark as one of the institution’s most prolific scorers. During her collegiate career, she tallied 30 goals and 13 assists in 52 matches, helping Lamar secure both regular-season and tournament titles. Her performances earned her Southland Conference Player of the Year and Forward of the Year honours.

Beyond athletics, Okoronkwo pursued her education seriously, majoring in business and engineering, demonstrating that she always maintained options beyond football.

Her introduction to the Nigerian national team came through an unconventional route. In 2021, when many called-up players faced visa issues ahead of friendlies against Portugal, the United States, and Jamaica, Okoronkwo, who was already in the area, received an opportunity to join the squad. She made her official senior debut for Nigeria on June 10, 2021, in a friendly match against Jamaica.

 

The ACL Nightmare and Remarkable Recovery

Just as her career was gaining momentum with AS Saint-Étienne in France, disaster struck. With WAFCON 2022 on the horizon and her form peaking, Okoronkwo suffered an ACL tear in the final stages of her first professional season. The injury was particularly devastating, as it was her second ACL tear, and the timing meant missing the entire WAFCON 2022 tournament.

However, her recovery defied medical expectations. Okoronkwo attacked rehabilitation with relentless intensity, returning to action ahead of schedule. Her experience with two ACL injuries taught her invaluable lessons about resilience and mental fortitude that would serve her well in the defining moments of her career.

 

European Journey and Global Experience

Following her recovery, Okoronkwo continued building her European credentials. In June 2023, she joined Spanish Liga F club UD Tenerife, competing against some of Europe’s elite teams in Spain’s top flight. After her spell in Spain, she spent the 2024 season with Changchun Dazhong in the Chinese Women’s Super League, broadening her tactical education and experiencing different playing styles across continents.

 

AFC Toronto: Making History in Canada

In February 2025, Okoronkwo signed with AFC Toronto in the newly launched Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s football league. She made an immediate impact, scoring both goals in the club’s first-ever victory, a 2-1 triumph over Calgary Wild FC on 1 May 2025. That performance instantly established her as a fan favourite and club legend.

Throughout the regular season, she registered eight goals and eight assists in 1,486 minutes of action, finishing as the league’s assist leader and one of its most influential attacking players. Her contributions helped AFC Toronto win the NSL Shield as regular-season champions.

Heavy snowfall delayed the playoff semifinals against the Montreal Roses, but Okoronkwo delivered a performance to remember. On 11 November 2025, she scored three goals in the opening 27 minutes, completing a hat-trick that included a direct free kick and a solo run past four defenders. AFC Toronto won 4-1 on the night and 6-1 on aggregate, advancing to the inaugural NSL final scheduled for 15 November at BMO Field against Vancouver Rise FC.

 

WAFCON 2024: Nigeria’s Comeback Queen

While her club form impressed, it was at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco that Okoronkwo truly announced herself as a world-class player. She emerged as a creative and goal-scoring force as Nigeria advanced through the knockout rounds. In the quarterfinal against Zambia, she scored once and provided two assists in a commanding 5-0 victory. In the semifinals, she added another assist as Nigeria marched towards the final.

The final against Morocco on July 26th, 2025, in Rabat became the defining moment of Okoronkwo’s career. The hosts were two goals ahead at halftime, their fans sensing a historic first WAFCON title. They stood 45 minutes away from continental glory.

What followed was legendary: Okoronkwo converted a penalty in the 60th minute to halve the deficit, then set up Folashade Ijamilusi for the equaliser in the 70th minute before threading a perfectly weighted free kick to Jennifer Echegini, who scored the winner in the 88th minute. Nigeria won 3-2, securing their record-extending tenth WAFCON title in the most remarkable comeback in the tournament’s history.

Okoronkwo was named Woman of the Match in the final and later voted the Fans’ Player of the Tournament, finishing the competition with two goals and six assists in six matches. She received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) honour alongside her teammates in recognition of their achievement.

 

Playing Style and Impact

Okoronkwo is a versatile forward who excels as a traditional number nine but can operate effectively on either wing. Her left foot is her preferred weapon, capable of delivering precision from set pieces and at a distance. Standing 171 centimetres tall, she combines technical ability with physical strength, capable of holding up play and bringing teammates into attacks.

Her aerial prowess makes her dangerous at crosses and corners, while her positioning and movement create constant problems for defenders. But her most significant attribute is her composure in decisive moments, such as penalties in finals, free kicks in snowstorms, and assists when teams desperately need goals. “I just need a few minutes to impact the game,” she noted in an interview with Eagle Tracker, perfectly capturing her ability to deliver match-defining contributions.

 

Recognition and Current Form

Okoronkwo’s 2025 performances have earned widespread recognition. She has been nominated for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, competing against heavyweights including her teammate Rasheedat Ajibade, Zambia’s 2024 winner Barbara Banda, and Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy.

The statistics support her candidacy. Across 2025, she has contributed 29 goals and assists in 30 matches for club and country, a remarkable tally that makes her the most productive African player this year. Her ability to perform at the highest level across different continents and competitions demonstrates her world-class quality.

ESPN’s Ed Dove argues it’s “only a matter of time” before Okoronkwo becomes a Ballon d’Or nominee, noting that while she was overlooked for the 2025 women’s Ballon d’Or, despite her WAFCON heroics, her trajectory suggests future recognition is inevitable.

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Looking Ahead

At 28 years old, Esther Okoronkwo stands at the peak of her powers. While her club form impressed, it was at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco that she won the championship. Beyond that, the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations awaits, where Nigeria will defend their title in Morocco, the nation that pushed Nigeria to the brink in 2024.

What makes Okoronkwo’s story compelling isn’t just her talent; it’s her journey. Esther Okoronkwo’s career embodies persistence in the face of adversity, transforming from a girl who never imagined becoming a professional footballer to a college star, then to a player battling through two ACL tears, and ultimately becoming the hero of Nigeria’s WAFCON triumph. She embodies a generation of Nigerian footballers who defy limitations and recognise that achieving success frequently necessitates taking unconventional routes.

Her message to aspiring young footballers reflects her philosophy: keep believing in yourself, ignore negative voices, maintain your faith, and work relentlessly towards your goals. For Okoronkwo, delay has never meant denial; it has simply meant preparation for greater triumphs ahead.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Esther Okoronkwo from?

Esther Okoronkwo was born in Niger on March 27, 1997. She grew up partly in Abia State, Nigeria, before relocating to Texas, USA, where she developed her football career through the collegiate system.

What position does Esther Okoronkwo play?

She plays forward, primarily as number nine (centre-forward), though she can operate effectively on either wing. She is known for her clinical finishing, aerial ability, and set-piece delivery.

How many goals did Esther Okoronkwo contribute at WAFCON 2024?

At the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Okoronkwo scored two goals and provided six assists in six matches, including a crucial penalty and two assists in the comeback final victory against Morocco. She was named Woman of the Match in the final and Fans’ Player of the Tournament.

Which club does Esther Okoronkwo currently play for?

As of November 2025, Okoronkwo plays for AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League in Canada, where she has been the league’s assist leader with eight goals and eight assists in the regular season, in addition to a hat-trick in the playoffs.

What are Esther Okoronkwo’s statistics for 2025?

In 2025, Okoronkwo has recorded 29 goal contributions (goals and assists combined) in 30 matches across club and international football—the highest total of any African player this year.

Has Esther Okoronkwo won any major trophies?

Yes. In 2025, she won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria (their record 10th title) and the Northern Super League Shield with AFC Toronto as regular-season champions. Her Woman of the Match performance in the WAFCON final, where she made three goal contributions in Nigeria’s 3-2 comeback from a 2-0 deficit, stands as her defining moment.