AFC Toronto’s title hopes in the Northern Super League got another boost as Esther Okoronkwo turned provider in a tense 1-0 away win over rivals Ottawa Rapid FC on Saturday.

The Super Falcons forward, known for her scoring prowess, showed her creative side this time, delivering the match-winning assist that has widened Toronto’s lead at the top of the table to nine points, Footballrover reports.

Esther Okoronkwo’s Key Moment Inspires Toronto

The decisive moment came in the 33rd minute at TD Place Stadium. Okoronkwo received the ball and tailored a sweet through ball that picked out Kaylee Hunter with a perfectly timed low cross.

Hunter made no mistake, sliding the ball past the goalkeeper to give Toronto a lead they never surrendered.

Okoronkwo stayed on the pitch for 85 minutes, constantly stretching Ottawa’s defence with her movement and energy before being substituted for Jade Kovacevic.

The Nigerian star’s consistency has been at the heart of Toronto’s dominance this season.

Across 24 matches in 2025, Okoronkwo has been directly involved in 22 goals—scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists.

Her recent run of form has been especially decisive. In her last five outings for Toronto, she has scored four goals and provided two assists.

She scored once against Halifax Tides, netted twice and added an assist against Vancouver Rise, found the net again in the return clash with Halifax, and now added a crucial assist against Ottawa.

The 2024 WAFCON winner continues to strengthen her case as a leading contender for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year.

What’s next for Esther Okoronkwo and Toronto

Toronto’s win also tightened their grip on the league, giving them crucial breathing space ahead of the season’s decisive stretch.

For Ottawa Rapid, the loss was a setback in their pursuit of the leaders and underscored the challenge of keeping up with a Toronto side inspired by Okoronkwo.

With her all-round attacking contributions, Okoronkwo remains central to Toronto’s bid for a historic Northern Super League crown as they gather momentum to face Calgary Wild FC next.

Like this post?
We’d be delighted to hear from you. Please leave a comment in the box below!

Last Updated on September 27, 2025 1:36 pm by footballrover