Esther Okoronkwo says she’s entirely focused on helping Nigeria defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title rather than chasing personal accolades at this year’s tournament.

Okoronkwo was one of the standout performers for the Super Falcons at the last edition of WAFCON, scoring three goals and providing six assists in six appearances. Despite that form, the 29 year old left the tournament without an individual award, and was later beaten to the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year prize by Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak.

Speaking to CAFonline, the AFC Toronto forward said winning that trophy with Nigeria carries far more weight for her than any individual recognition. She explained that missing out on an award last time hasn’t dampened her motivation heading into this campaign, since the team’s success already gives her all the drive she needs. Her focus, she said, is on helping Nigeria retain the title, adding that the country’s happiness matters more to her than personal honours.

Okoronkwo also spoke about wanting to prove herself again on the pitch after a career that has been frequently interrupted by injuries, saying she’s eager to show what she’s capable of and pointing to her performances at the last tournament as evidence of what she can still offer when fit.