Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has expressed her displeasure after failing to make the final shortlist for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year.
Okoronkwo was highly favoured to win the award after impressing at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations where the Super Falcons won a record-extending tenth title.
The 28-year-old registered one goal and six assists at the competition.
The versatile striker also had an outstanding campaign at club level, helping AFC Toronto clinch the league’s inaugural NSL Shield in September.
Read Also:Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi Make 2025 African Player Of The Year Final Shortlist
Okoronkwo was initially named in a 10-player shortlist for the award, but failed to make the final three announced by CAF on Sunday.
Her Super Falcons teammate, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Morocco stars Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy made the final cut.
She reacted with a message on the social media.
“I remain grateful for the support across Africa. CAF’s decision is noted, but my focus stays on the pitch where recognition is earned not awarded. Awards don’t always reflect reality but the pitch never lies,”Okoronkwo wrote on her Instagram page.
By Adeboye Amosu
7 Comments
The message on her Instagram tho was not necessary…
Na all this things dey bring rancor for team…
She should have just kept mute since her teammate Ajibade is already on the top three list… its still a win for the team and the country…
Tho she deserve to be part of the three with her two goals and four assist and also one player of the match… likewise Ajibade too who won three player of the match award and overall player of the tournament..let’s not forget her leadership qualities on the pitch too…
No mind am. Na wetin dey tire me for all these people once them come into limelight. But na your babe oh.
Maybe she don see am say old age don dey come and this na most likely the only chance to announce herself “away” from Oshoala history making Women APOTY sensational efforts.
Truth be told, falcons is currently not been set up to compete at WAFCON next year.
November friendly window will soon be shut and that leaves the only one left in February.
Her arrogance was uncalled for. “Recognition is earned not awarded” be like a jibe at Ajibade who will most likely win it apart from Oshoala in the last decade.
Well, I’m pained NFF is not taking falcons seriously oh.
Nigeria have been monstrous in the women awards winning 13 of the 20 given so far since 2001.
2 each for Ghana (2002 and 2003) and South Africa (2008 and 2018) and one each for Zambia (last year), Cameroon (2015) and Equatorial guinea (2012).
Ajibade for winning WAFCON player of the tournament will likely win it on Wednesday ahead of the Moroccans.
Na that one pain Esther.
After all the hype.
For all the organisers know, Esther might be a one tournament wonder.
So the bad preparations by glasshouse dey vex me for falcons.
Ghana dey play England oh.
Nigeria is looking and expecting to stroll to title again in March with 16 teams competing now so now best third place spots again but only top 2.
Lol…@sly na my babe but I need to tell her truth…she should have congratulated ajibade…be happy for her and moved on….
I think Caf doesn’t want to give two slots to Nigeria, that was why they only selected Rashida for Nigeria
Never mind Okoronkwo, to me both you and Rashida are far better than the Moroccans.
Remember, Morocco painfully lost in the final against Nigeria. They need to be consoled.
Awards indeed are a scam. I knew that long long ago. Continue to earn your accolades on the pitch my naturally talented Super Eagles number 10 official.
Next year is your year in Jesus name but not in the sense of Arsenal.
Wetin all these people dey talk??
What kind of talk is this, how is she arrogant?
She is the best player at the Afcon, they didn’t give her, now she is the best player presently in Africa, they denied her that again and you called that arrogance?
So, she shouldn’t react? She is not saying the truth?
The pitch gives her the goals and accolades, and shows she is the best but CAF doesn’t recognize her, you said she should congratulate Ajibade? As how na, what’s her business with that, Ajibade deserves to be there and she is there for herself, not for Esther or Super Falcons but as a player, how does AJ wins make Okoronkwo the best? Una dey talk o
To me she was even the player of the tournament in the last Wafcon. She was definitely our most influential player providing 3 separate match winning performances. Against Botswana when we found it frustrating to break them down, she came in and unlocked their defense with a beautiful assist, against Zambia in the quarterfinals where she scored and gave 3 assists, and in the final where she refused to allow Nigeria to lose almost by her will alone, scoring and assisting twice. Not sure what the organizers were watching by not awarding her that accolade then.
She has a shout for being the African player of the year without a doubt. She’s playing in a top women’s league over there in North America and she’s backed it up with personal stats and team glory