National Teams
WAFCON 2024: Esther Okoronkwo shines off the bench as Nigeria defeat Tunisia
By Dayo Awoniyi
Esther Okoronkwo made a decisive impact as a second-half substitute to help Nigeria seal a commanding 3-0 victory over Tunisia in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
With the Super Falcons leading 2-0 at halftime, head coach Justin Madugu introduced Okoronkwo after the break, and the 27-year-old striker immediately injected pace and dynamism into the attack.
Her performance culminated in a perfectly timed assist for Chinwendu Ihezuo, who netted Nigeria’s third goal to put the match beyond reach.
#Esther Okoronkwo
“It doesn’t matter where I start—what matters is the impact I have on the game,” Okoronkwo said after the match, beaming with pride in the mixed zone.
Okoronkwo’s influence was felt from her first touch, as she dropped deep to link play, maintained composure in possession, and continually stretched the Tunisian defense with intelligent movement and speed.
A driving run down the left flank, which led to the assist, underlined her quality.
“That’s what I expect from her,” coach Madugu said in his post-match press conference.
“She doesn’t need to score to be important. She reads the game well, anticipates the right movements, and creates opportunities.”
Her match statistics reflected her effectiveness: 24 touches, 88% pass completion, three fouls won, two clear chances created, and one assist.
With Nigeria aiming for their 12th WAFCON title, Okoronkwo’s form could prove crucial in the Super Falcons’ pursuit of continental glory.
