WAFCON: We Will Get More Goals – Super Falcons’ Esther Okoronkwo Says After Win Over Tunisia

The Super Eagles of Nigeria forward, Esther Okoronkwo believes that the team has the potential to score more goals following their 3-0 win over Tunisia on Sunday, July 6.

During the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group stage match in Casablanca, Morocco, Esther Okoronkwo came from the bench in the second half to help Super Falcons seal the win.

Before coach Justine Madugu introduced Okoronkwo in place of Nigeria’s legendary striker, Asisat Oshoala, the Super Falcons were already two goals up. Oshoala and Rinsola Babajide were the goal scorers.

In the second half, in which Nigeria wasted a series of goal-scoring opportunities, including having two attempts hitting the goal post, Okoronkwo shone brightest. The performance of the 28-year-old forward reached its peak when she provided an assist for Chinwendu Ihezuo to score Nigeria’s third goal in the 84th minute of the match.

Okoronkwo’s two shots, three key passes, one assist, 26 touches, 16 passes at 62.5 per cent accuracy, and winning two fouls, earned her the player of the match award. She won the award ahead of Babajide who recorded one goal, one assist, two key passes, 32 touches, 17 passes, 70.6 per cent pass completion, and won two fouls in 45 minutes.

Despite the superior performance of the Super Falcons over their northern African rivals, Esther Okoronkwo said in her post-game interview that they need more time to blend further.

“It’s like the first game ever”, she said. “So, you know, we’re just trying to like get the energy together, work together, and create as much as chances and opportunities that we can.”

“Obviously the goals are going to come, and they did come. But we just have to take the positive and, you know, go for the next game and then eventually get more goals.”

On what the coach told her before she made her way onto the pitch, Okoronkwo added: “So before I went in, he told me that, you know, be prepared and help the team out there. They need me. And get the ball, try to lay off and find other teammates and, you know, play off, play together as a team, work together.”