Chioma Okafor Makes UConn History With Third NCAA All-American Honor

Nigeria forward Chioma Okafor has carved her name into University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies history after being named to the Third Team NCAA All-American list for the third time in her college career — a distinction achieved by only six players in the storied program’s history.

The Nigerian forward, widely regarded as one of the most dynamic attackers in U.S. collegiate soccer, caps off a stellar senior season with yet another national honour. Okafor led the Huskies with eight goals and one assist this season, earning selections to both the First Team All-BIG EAST and the United Coaches First Team All-East Region, underscoring her dominance in the conference and beyond.

Across her three-season spell at UConn from 2022 to 2025, Okafor was the heartbeat of the Huskies’ attack. She featured in 57 matches, scoring 30 goals and providing five assists, establishing herself as one of the most lethal and consistent forwards ever to don the UConn jersey.

Her ability to blend pace, power, and technical precision made her a nightmare for defenders, while her leadership and calmness in key moments elevated UConn’s competitive edge throughout her collegiate tenure.

Okafor’s rise wasn’t confined to the NCAA. She entered her senior season fresh off winning the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with the Super Falcons, bringing with her a champion’s mentality and the confidence of performing at the highest international level.

Her African title-winning experience translated seamlessly into her UConn performances, where she consistently delivered big goals, decisive runs, and a level of maturity that transformed the Huskies’ attacking identity.

By securing a third NCAA All-American honour, Okafor now stands proudly alongside an exclusive group of UConn greats who have earned multiple national recognitions. It is a fitting milestone for a player who has been central to the program’s resurgence and who leaves behind a legacy of excellence, consistency, and professionalism.

With her collegiate career complete and the January transfer window fast approaching, speculation is growing about Okafor’s next move. Scouts from the NWSL, Europe’s top leagues, and other global destinations are closely monitoring her situation.

Whether she launches her professional career in the United States or embarks on a journey to one of Europe’s elite clubs, one thing is certain: Chioma Okafor’s next chapter promises to be every bit as thrilling as the one she has just completed.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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