Esther Okoronkwo has been voted the Super Falcons’ Fans’ Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), capping off an exceptional campaign that helped Nigeria clinch a record-extending 10th continental title.
The announcement was made Tuesday on the team’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, with a post celebrating Okoronkwo’s performances throughout the championship in Morocco.
“Presenting your #WAFCON2024 Fans’ Player of the Tournament… Esther Okoronkwo, OON. Clutch. Composed. Crowned by the people,” the post read.
Okoronkwo played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s title-winning run, especially in the knockout stages. In the quarter-finals, she delivered a dominant display against Zambia, scoring once and providing two assists in a 5–0 win.
Her impact in the final against hosts Morocco was even more crucial. With Nigeria trailing 2–0 at half-time, Okoronkwo led the comeback, converting a penalty in the 60th minute to level the scores, then assisting Folashade Ijamilusi’s equaliser. She later delivered a pinpoint free-kick that set up Jennifer Echegini’s 88th-minute winner, sealing a dramatic 3–2 victory in Rabat.
Her performance earned her the Player of the Match award in the final and solidified her status as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
Okoronkwo was one of six players nominated for the fan-voted award, alongside Jennifer Echegini, Ashleigh Plumptre, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi — all instrumental in Nigeria’s success under head coach Justine Madugu.
In addition to the fans’ honour, Okoronkwo was named in the CAF Team of the Tournament, joining three other Nigerians: goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, right-back Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who also won the tournament’s Best Player award.
Though Ajibade praised the team’s unity after their final win, it was Okoronkwo’s cool-headed execution and clutch performances that captured the hearts of Nigerian fans.
