Okoronkwo reacts after missing CAF women’s player final list

Boluwatife Kehinde
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‎Esther Okoronkwo has emphasized that her focus remains firmly on the pitch after being omitted from the final top three shortlist for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award.
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‎Okoronkwo was originally among the longlist for the African Women’s Player of the Year, alongside Rasheedat Ajibade, Barbra Banda and several other top African players.
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‎The final three nominees for the CAF African Women’s Player of the Year 2025 include Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal),Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)and fellow Compatriot Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria / Paris Saint-Germain)
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‎Reacting on Instagram after missing the top three, Okoronkwo wrote:
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‎“I remain grateful for all the love and support across Africa. CAF’s decision is noted, but my focus stays on the pitch, where recognition is earned, not awarded.
‎Awards don’t always reflect reality, but the pitch never lies.”
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‎At the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Okoronkwo played a significant role for Nigeria. She featured in six matches, scoring two crucial goals and providing six assists.
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‎In the final against Morocco, she scored from the penalty spot and delivered two assists, helping Nigeria secure the trophy. She was also named Woman of the Match in the final.
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‎At club level with AFC Toronto, Okoronkwo enjoyed an impressive season: 20 appearances, 8 goals, and 7 assists—finishing as the league’s top assist provider and one of the team’s most influential attackers.