Super Falcons: Esther Okoronkwo beats Rinsola Babajide to win WAFCON Woman of the Match Award

The Super Falcons of Nigeria recorded a 3-0 win against the Les Aigles of Tunisia in a thrilling opening match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024.

Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo emerged as the standout performer, earning the coveted Woman of the Match award.

The 28-year-old forward’s exceptional debut performance for the Super Falcons outshone the efforts of teammate Rinsola Babajide, sparking both celebration and debate.

Okoronkwo marked her first appearance at the tournament with a display that caught the eye of the judging panel.

The match saw Rinsola Babajide playing for Spain’s UDG Tenerife, deliver an impressive performance.

Babajide provided the first goal for Asisat Oshoala, setting the tone early, and then scored the second goal herself to give the Super Falcons a commanding lead going into the halftime break.

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However, substitutions shifted the game in the second half, with Babajide taken off for Chinwendu Ihezuo, while Esther Okoronkwo came on for Oshoala.

Despite featuring for only 45 minutes, Okoronkwo won the Woman of the Match award for providing a crucial assist for Ihezuo’s goal, sealing Nigeria’s 3-0 victory.

The decision was not without controversy as some suggested that defender Ashleigh Plumptre was the more deserving candidate.

The Super Falcons return to action when they take on Botswana in their next group game.