By Deborah Nnamdi
Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has broken her silence after failing to make the final shortlist for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award, saying she remains focused on proving herself through performances rather than accolades.
Okoronkwo, who many fans and football analysts believed deserved a top-three spot following a stellar year for club and country, shared her reaction in an Instagram post on Thursday shortly after CAF unveiled the final nominees.
“I remain grateful for the support across Africa. CAF’s decision is noted, but my focus stays on the pitch. Recognition is earned, not awarded,” she wrote. “Awards don’t always reflect reality, but the pitch never lies.”
Her remarks, which carried a tone of both gratitude and disappointment, have since sparked conversations among supporters who felt the shortlist did not fully reflect the year’s standout performers.
CAF’s final three nominees include Super Falcons forward Rasheedat Ajibade, who enjoyed an impressive campaign for Nigeria and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Moroccan stars Ghizlane Chebbak of Al Hilal and Sanaa Mssoudy of AS FAR.
The list, made up entirely of players who featured in the 2024 WAFCON final, drew mixed reactions across social media, particularly due to the exclusion of other high-performing players such as Okoronkwo and Zambian striker Barbara Banda.
Despite the controversy, Okoronkwo assured fans that her commitment remains unchanged, emphasizing that her true motivation comes from contributing on the field and pushing the Super Falcons to greater heights.
The winner of the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award will be announced at the ceremony scheduled for next month.
