Esther Okoronkwo returns from nine-month injury with a bang for Saint Etienne

By Saheed Afolabi

Esther Okoronkwo made an exciting return from a long injury layoff with a goal against Olympic Marseille after spending over nine months on the sideline in Saint Etienne 3-2 victory on Sunday.

The Nigeria international hit the back of the net after coming in as a second half substitute in her first game since returning from a career threatening injury she suffered in April 2022 in the French Division 2 Group B women.

The top-of-the-table clash was the table toppers one as Saint-Étienne and Olympic Marseille both occupied the first and second position of the league table as Ashley Clark gave Marseille the lead in the 21st minute.

Awa Diakhate doubles Marseille lead in the 30th minute to put Saint-Étienne in a difficult position in the game.

Saint-Étienne weren’t ready to make it an easy ride for Marseille as they pulled a goal back with a minute to go in the first half through Cindy Caputo.

Chloé Marty equalled the score line in the 80th minute to set-up a frantic finish to the end of the game.

Substitute Okoronkwo, who came on in the 63rd minute popped up to snatch a late winner for Saint-Étienne five minutes from regulation time.

The win cemented Saint-Étienne as the table toppers of D2 Feminine group B with 33 points from 11 matches as they are five points ahead of second-place Olympic Marseille who have 28 points from same number of matches.