Former Super Falcons coach, Florence Omagbemi, has tipped Super Falcons rave of the moment, Esther Okoronkwo, to win this year’s African Footballer of the Year award. She also praised President Bola Tinubu for what she described as the ‘biggest’ reward ever for members of the Nigerian women’s football team.

Okoronkwo has quickly emerged as one of the brightest stars in Nigerian women’s football. From her grassroots in Abia to her growing reputation on the international stage, Okoronkwo continues to make headlines for all the right reasons.

A game changer for the Super Falcons at the just concluded WAFCON in Morocco, Okoronkwo scored once and provided two assists in a 5-0 victory over Zambia in the quarterfinal. She saved her best for the final against host nation Morocco, where she delivered a stunning performance, scoring from the penalty spot, assisting Folashade Ijamilusi’s equaliser, and setting up Jennifer Echegini’s late winner with a pinpoint free-kick. Her influence was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ dramatic 3-2 comeback win and the Super Falcons’ record 10th WAFCON title.

Speaking with The Guardian from her base in the United States, on Tuesday, Omagbemi, who is Nigeria’s only woman to win the WAFCON title as a player and as a coach, said, “I am really impressed with the steady rise of Esther Okoronkwo, particularly in the just concluded championships in Morocco. To me, she is the stand-out player in the entire competition and deserves to win this year’s African Footballer of the Year award.

“This is not to downplay the contribution of all other members of the Super Falcons. Okoronkwo has proven that quality of a star player, and I am glad she is emerging at a time the Super Falcons really need a top finisher. Nigeria has a way of producing great stars. From our playing days, when the Super Falcons had great strikers like Uche Echaria, Nkiru Okosieme and Mercy Akide, to the next generation of Perpetua Nkwocha, to Asisat Oshoala. Now, Esther Okoronkwo is stepping in. She is calm, and I see her leading the Super Falcons to win more laurels in years to come. I also salute the courage and quality of Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chamaka Nnadozie and others,” she stated.

Omagbemi, who led the Super Falcons to win three WAFCON titles from 1998 to 2004, before heading the technical crew to win the 2016 edition, where Nigeria defeated rival Cameroon in front of their fans in Yaoundé, praised President Tinubu for the National Honour conferred on the team, 3-Bedroom flats for both players and technical crew at the Renewed Hope City, as well as cash prizes.

“This reward by Mr. President will surely encourage more girls in Nigeria to embrace playing football. It will also serve as encouragement for parents to allow their female children to take to sports, particularly football. How I wish we had a President like Bola Tinubu to reward us this way in our playing days. I am really happy for this present generation of Super Falcons. Thank you Mr. President for the ‘biggest’ reward ever,” Omagbemi stated.