The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has strongly condemned the racist abuse directed at Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo on social media, describing the attacks as unacceptable and reaffirming its commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of the national team player.
The federation’s reaction comes ahead of Nigeria’s opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against Malawi in Morocco, where the Super Falcons are seeking to begin their campaign on a winning note.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NFF said the online abuse followed recent incidents at the Super Falcons’ team hotel in Morocco, insisting that discrimination has no place in football or society.
“The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 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,” the federation stated.
The NFF emphasized that the racist comments and emojis targeted at the player were completely unjustified, noting that authorities had already dealt with the individual responsible for the hotel theft that sparked the controversy.
According to the federation, “The racist abuse and emojis directed at our player make absolutely no sense, especially as the individual responsible for the theft was apprehended, made to return the stolen cash in full, and sentenced to six months in prison.”
The football governing body stressed that the safety and well-being of its players remain paramount, assuring Nigerians that the incident would not distract the team from its objectives at the continental championship.
“The safety, dignity, and well-being of our players remain our utmost priority,” the statement added.
The NFF also disclosed that the Super Falcons remain united despite the incident and are fully focused on their opening fixture at the tournament.
“The entire team stands united, unbothered by distractions, and fully focused on tomorrow’s #WAFCON2026 opener against Malawi,” the federation said.
