Ijeoma Esther Okoronkwo, popularly known as Esther Okoronkwo the Nigerian international forward lighting up the women’s game:
Early Life & Education
- Born: 27 March 1997, in Abia State, Nigeria
- Moved to the United States at a young age and grew up in Richmond, Texas, attending John & Randolph Foster High School
College Career
- Began at Northeast Texas Community College (2016–2017), where she netted 28 goals and showed early promise
- Transferred to Lamar University (2018–2021), where she scored 35 goals in 39 games, earning accolades as Southland Conference Player and Forward of the Year
Club Career Journey
- Professionally debuted with AS Saint-Étienne in France (2021–2023), tallying 7 goals in 27 appearances
- Joined UD Granadilla Tenerife in Spain’s Liga F for the 2023–2024 season, making 10 appearances and scoring 2 goals
- Spent the 2024 season with Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue in the Chinese Women’s Super League
- Signed with AFC Toronto in Canada’s inaugural Northern Super League in February 2025 (jersey #23)
- Scored both goals in a historic 2–1 win over Calgary Wild FC, marking the club’s first-ever victory and cementing her early legend status
International Career with Super Falcons
- Made senior debut for Nigeria on 10 June 2021 in a friendly vs. Jamaica
- Scored her first international goal in a 1–0 away win against Ivory Coast on 23 February 2022, clinching qualification for the WAFCON 2022
Standout at WAFCON 2024
- Missed WAFCON 2022 due to ACL injury but returned with determination in 2024 (Confédération Africaine de Football)
- Delivered a masterclass across the tournament:
- 6 assists and 1 crucial goal in six matches (Confédération Africaine de Football,
- In the final vs. host Morocco: scored a decisive penalty and assisted the winning goal via a pinpoint free-kick to rally Nigeria from 0–2 to a 3–2 comeback victory, securing a record-extending 10th WAFCON title (Confédération Africaine de Football)
- Earned two Player of the Match awards during the tournament (Confédération Africaine de Football)
World Stage & Global Presence
- Featured in Nigeria’s squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, contributing in matches against Canada and Australia
- Selected for the 2024 Paris Olympics squad to represent Nigeria on the biggest sporting stage
Style & Impact
- A left-footed forward, known for her pace, physicality, and versatility. Comfortable as a lone striker or linking play up front
- Lauded by coaches and teammates for her intelligence, hold-up play, and set-piece delivery
- Visible advocate for women’s football development, emphasizing the importance of support and visibility for growth across Africa
Quick Stats Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 27 March 1997 |
| Origin | Abia State, Nigeria; raised in Richmond, Texas |
| College Teams | Northeast Texas CC; Lamar University |
| Clubs | St-Étienne, Tenerife, Changchun, AFC Toronto |
| AFC Toronto Debut | Feb 2025; scored club’s first NSL win |
| Nigeria Debut | June 2021 |
| WAFCON 2024 | 6 assists, 1 goal; match-winner in final |
| Major Tournaments | World Cup 2023, Olympics 2024, WAFCON 2024 |
Esther Okoronkwo’s journey—from early promise in the U.S. collegiate system to top-flight success across continents and continental glory for Nigeria—marks her as one of Africa’s most exciting attacking talents. Want a deeper look into her style, upcoming matches, or season highlights?