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Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has reserved special praise for Esther Okoronkwo following her outstanding performance in Nigeria’s 5-0 demolition of Zambia at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Footynaija.com reports.
Okoronkwo, 28, has been Nigeria’s standout performer throughout the tournament and delivered another dazzling display against the Copper Queens.
The dynamic forward registered two assists and scored her first goal of the tournament to help the Super Falcons cruise into the semifinals.
Despite starting just one of Nigeria’s four matches so far, Okoronkwo has racked up one goal and four assists, including an eye-catching Player of the Match performance in the 3-0 win over Tunisia on matchday one — a game she only joined after the interval.
She also made a decisive impact in the narrow 1-0 victory over Botswana, coming off the bench once again to deliver the assist for Nigeria’s only goal.
In total, Okoronkwo, who was not named in CAF’s Best XI of the group stage, has had a hand in five of Nigeria’s nine goals in Morocco, the most of any Super Falcons star.
Following the rout of Zambia, Coach Madugu lauded Okoronkwo’s influence but tactfully sidestepped comparisons with Zambia’s captain and star striker Barbra Banda.
“I wouldn’t want to be drawn into the comparison between Banda and Esther, the technical committee will do that,” Madugu said during the post-match press conference.
“But as far as we’re concerned, Esther is a key player in the team. If you look at the qualities she has, you will know she does a lot and works for the team.
“She can play upfront alone and hold the ball and allow others to give her support. She has done well for the Super Falcons.
“Even in previous games that we have played, she has been consistent in goal scoring, irrespective of the time she plays, she either creates or scores.
“She is still developing and she has not gotten to where we know she can get to. She has a lot of potential and she is a great player.”
Nigeria’s victory over Zambia secured the Falcons’ place in the WAFCON semifinals, where they will face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between defending champions South Africa and Senegal.
