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“It Feels Good”: Esther Okoronkwo Shines as Player of the Month in Canada
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
For Esther Okoronkwo, football has always been more than a game—it’s a passion, a calling. Now, in June 2025, that same fire is driving her standout performances in Canada’s burgeoning Northern Super League, where she’s just been named Player of the Month. It’s a milestone for her career and a proud moment for AFC Toronto, the young club she now leads with purpose and poise.
When AFC Toronto announced Okoronkwo’s signing in February, it caught attention. Not because her talent was in question—she was already a proven Nigerian international known for her clutch performances and thunderous right foot—but because few expected a player of her caliber to join a team still finding its footing in a new league. But Okoronkwo, always up for a challenge, saw opportunity where others saw uncertainty.
“I came because I wanted a challenge,” she told reporters after receiving the award. “I wanted to be part of something new, something that grows while I grow too.”
And grow she has. In just four matches during May, she found the net three times: a poacher’s tap-in against Vancouver Spirit, a stunning 25-yard rocket against Montreal Roses that went viral, and a clinical header in a gritty away win over Ottawa Northside. The strike against Montreal—named “Goal of the Week”—did more than just win points. It was a statement.
In that moment, as the ball soared past Montreal’s keeper into the top corner, Esther Okoronkwo didn’t just score—she introduced herself to Canadian football.
Yet her value goes beyond goals. For a club built on youth and potential, Okoronkwo has become the anchor—a leader whose intensity, work ethic, and energy uplift those around her.
“She’s everything you want in a leader,” said head coach Monica Clarke. “Not just because she scores, but because she lifts everyone around her. When Esther’s on the pitch, you believe you can win.”
And that belief is changing AFC Toronto’s trajectory. Once considered longshots, they’re now in playoff contention—thanks in no small part to Okoronkwo’s impact.
The Player of the Month award—the first in the club’s history—marks more than personal achievement. It’s a signal of transformation: a young club beginning to believe, and to build.
“It feels good. It feels good,” Okoronkwo said with a smile as she held the trophy. “Lucky. I mean, obviously it wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates. So, as much as I won that, it’s also with them. To them as well.”
Her humility resonates. Even amid personal glory, she remains grounded. Asked what’s next, she didn’t flinch:
“I just gotta have the same attitude and mentality for every game. To always treat every game the same. At the end of the day, we want to win… I always have the mentality to give your best on the field and work as hard as you can, and let everything work out.”
Okoronkwo is also a vocal advocate for the league’s growth. She believes the Northern Super League can evolve into one of the top women’s leagues globally—with the right investment and belief.
“This is a good league. And it’s only going to get better. More talent will come, more eyes will be on it,” she said. “If you’re mentioning women’s leagues in the future, the Canadian league will be right up there.”
For now, AFC Toronto fans will cherish every minute with Esther Okoronkwo in their squad. Because they’re not just watching a star—they’re witnessing a pioneer shaping a club, a league, and the next chapter of Canadian football history.
