Ijeoma Esther Okoronkwo, born on March 27, 1997, is a Nigerian professional football forward currently playing for AFC Toronto in Canada’s Northern Super League. She is an important member of the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, known for scoring critical goals that have helped secure Nigeria’s place in major tournaments like the Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Ijeoma Esther Okoronkwo |
| Date of Birth | March 27, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Abia State |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Partner | Not publicly known |
| Children | None reported publicly |
| Occupation | Professional Footballer (Forward) |
| Current Club | AFC Toronto (Northern Super League) |
| Position | Forward |
| Jersey Number | 23 (AFC Toronto), previously 9 (UD Tenerife) |
| Net Worth | $650,000 |
Early Life and Education
Born in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, Esther relocated to the United States during her early years and was raised in Richmond, Texas.
She began her football career at John and Randolph Foster High School before progressing to collegiate soccer.
Esther played at Northeast Texas Community College from 2016 to 2017, where she was a prolific scorer, and later transferred to Lamar University (2018–2021), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business while continuing to develop as a player.
Career
Esther kick-started her professional career in Europe with French club AS Saint-Étienne (2021–2023), making 27 appearances and netting 7 goals. In mid-2023, she signed with Spanish side UD Tenerife.
By early 2025, she joined AFC Toronto, where she made history by scoring the club’s first-ever winning goals in May 2025.Internationally, Esther debuted for Nigeria on June 10, 2021, in a match against Jamaica.
She scored her first international goal in a decisive 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast in February 2022, helping Nigeria qualify for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
She played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was instrumental in the team’s successful 2024 WAFCON campaign, contributing key goals and assists.
At the final match of the 2024 WAFCON held on July 26, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, Okoronkwo once again showcased her remarkable skill and composure.
She powered Nigeria to a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory against Morocco by converting a crucial penalty kick in the 60th minute, setting up Folashade Ijamilusi for a goal in the 70th minute, and delivering a perfectly weighted free-kick that Jennifer Echegini brilliantly finished at the 88th minute.
Her outstanding performance in the final was instrumental in securing the championship for Nigeria.
Personal Life
Esther maintains a private personal life, with no public information available regarding a partner or children. She is recognized for her dedication to football and lifelong support for Manchester United.
Esther Okoronkwo Net Worth
Esther Okoronkwo’s estimated net worth as of 2025 is approximately $650,000 USD.
Honors
- Woman of the Match in the 2024 WAFCON final on July 26, 2025, scoring a penalty and providing two assists in Nigeria’s 3-2 win over Morocco.
- Helped Nigeria win their 10th WAFCON title with 2 goals and 4 assists in the tournament.
- Praised by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu for her composure and key penalty goal in the final.
- Named Player of the Match in Nigeria’s 3-0 group stage win over Tunisia.
