The Nigeria Football Federation and Canadian club AFC Toronto have condemned the racist abuse targeted at Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo on social media, following the theft of her money at the team’s hotel in Morocco.
The incident happened during the Super Falcons’ stay in Morocco for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where a hotel worker made away with cash belonging to the player.
Moroccan authorities later arrested the suspect, recovered the stolen money, ordered its return to the player and sentenced the offender to six months’ imprisonment.
Despite the swift action, Okoronkwo was hit with racist comments and monkey emojis online, prompting her to respond publicly and drawing condemnation from both the NFF and her club.
In separate statements issued on Monday via their X handles, the two bodies described the attacks as unacceptable and reaffirmed their support for the Nigeria international.
“The Nigeria Football Federation strongly condemns the unacceptable racist abuse directed at Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo on social media following recent incidents at the team’s hotel in Morocco. Discrimination in any form has no place in football or society,” the federation said.
The NFF stressed that the abuse was baseless, noting that the thief had already been arrested, made to return the cash and jailed. “The entire team stands united, unbothered by distractions, and fully focused on tomorrow’s #WAFCON2026 opener against Malawi,” it said.
AFC Toronto also backed the striker, declaring: “There is no place for racism in our game. Today and every day we stand for respect and inclusion.” Quoting Okoronkwo, the club added, “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”
Source: Punch.
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