By Our Correspondent

National News – Super Falcons striker Esther Okoronkwo is battling to regain fitness ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a knee injury during a league match in Canada.

The 29-year-old forward sustained a meniscus tear while playing for Toronto AFC Women in a goalless draw against Halifax Women, raising concerns over her availability for Nigeria’s continental campaign.

Toronto AFC Women coach Marco Milanovic confirmed the injury and disclosed that Okoronkwo is expected to spend about six weeks on the sidelines.

According to him, the Nigerian international remains one of the club’s most important players, making her absence a major setback for the team.

The injury comes at a crucial period for the Super Falcons, who are preparing for the delayed 2026 WAFCON tournament scheduled to hold from July 25 to August 16.

Nigeria, the reigning African champions, must reach at least the semi-finals to secure qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Okoronkwo was among Nigeria’s standout stars during the Super Falcons’ successful WAFCON title-winning campaign in Morocco last year.

The former Saint-Etienne attacker scored two goals and provided seven assists as Nigeria lifted a record-extending 10th continental crown.

This is not the first major injury concern for the forward.

She previously missed the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after suffering an ACL injury, making her latest setback another difficult moment in her international career.

Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu is hopeful the striker will recover in time to strengthen Nigeria’s attack before the competition begins.

Fans and football stakeholders will now closely monitor her rehabilitation process as the countdown to WAFCON continues.