WAFCON 2024: Okoronkwo Wins Super Falcons Fans’ Best Player

Esther Okoronkwo has been voted the Super Falcons’ Fans’ Player of the Tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), following her pivotal role in guiding Nigeria to a record-extending 10th continental title in Morocco.

The announcement was made on Tuesday via the Super Falcons’ official X handle, which celebrated the forward’s game-changing performances throughout the tournament.

“Presenting your #WAFCON2024 Fans’ Player of the Tournament… Esther Okoronkwo, OON. Clutch. Composed. Crowned by the people,” the post read.

Okoronkwo delivered a series of decisive displays during Nigeria’s title run, particularly in the knockout stages.

In the quarter-final against Zambia, she scored once and provided two assists in a commanding 5–0 win that sent the Falcons into the semi-finals.

Her most defining moment came in the final against hosts Morocco.

With Nigeria trailing, the 28-year-old converted a 60th-minute penalty to level the score before setting up Folashade Ijamilusi’s 70th-minute strike.

She later delivered a perfectly weighted free-kick that Jennifer Echegini headed home for an 88th-minute winner, sealing a thrilling 3–2 victory in Rabat.

Okoronkwo’s match-winning heroics earned her the Player of the Match award in the final and solidified her status as one of WAFCON 2024’s standout performers.

She emerged as the fans’ choice from a shortlist of six Super Falcons stars, including Jennifer Echegini, Ashleigh Plumptre, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.

The fan poll, launched on Monday across the team’s social media platforms, invited supporters to vote for the player who had the biggest impact on Nigeria’s campaign.

The award adds to Okoronkwo’s individual accolades at the tournament, having also been named in the CAF Team of the Tournament.

She was one of four Nigerians to make the elite selection, alongside goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who won the overall Best Player award.

Despite Ajibade’s recognition, it was Okoronkwo’s composure, precision, and big-game temperament that captured the hearts of Nigerian fans, crowning her as the tournament’s “best among equals.”

Sports247.ng