Super Falcons forward, Esther Okoronkwo delivered a masterclass performance on Monday night, scoring a first-half hat-trick to power AFC Toronto into the Northern Super League (NSL) playoff final after a 4–1 win over Montreal Roses at York Lions Stadium.
The victory secured a 6–1 aggregate victory for Toronto, who had earlier won 2–0 in the first leg at Stade Boreale in Montreal on November 1, courtesy of goals from Nikayla Small and Kaylee Hunter.
Esther Okoromkwo Breaks NSL Record with Historic Hat-trick
Okoronkwo wasted no time stamping her authority on the semi-final second leg, scoring all three of Toronto’s goals within the opening 27 minutes of the match.
The 28-year-old Nigerian forward, opened the scoring in the 7th minute, finishing off a clever square pass from Kaylee Hunter.
Fourteen minutes later, she doubled Toronto’s lead with a stunning left-footed free kick, curling it past a two-person wall and the helpless Montreal goalkeeper into the near post.
Her third goal and perhaps the best of the night, came in the 27th minute through sheer determination.
After winning possession in midfield, Okoronkwo drove forward, saw her initial cross cleared, but pounced again to bulldoze past three defenders and slot home for her hat-trick.
The goals took her tally to 11 for the season, adding to the eight goals and eight assists she recorded in the regular campaign.
Okoronkwo was substituted in the 66th minute to a standing ovation from home fans, replaced by Sarah Stratigakis.
Montreal’s Tanya Boychuk pulled one back in the 74th minute, but Lauren Rowe restored Toronto’s three-goal cushion ten minutes from time, volleying home a miscleared ball as snow blanketed the field.
The match, initially scheduled for Sunday, was postponed by a day due to heavy snowfall across Toronto.
Esther Okoronkwo Earns CAF Women’s Player of the Year nomination
Okoronkwo’s heroics come just weeks after her nomination for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, adding her to the list of Africa’s elite footballers.
The Abia State-born forward has battled through extraordinary adversity, including two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries that could have ended her career.
Reacting emotionally to her nomination, she wrote on social media:
“Can’t believe it. I feel like crying right now. Y’all don’t understand, after two ACL surgeries.”
Her words captured the emotional weight of a comeback that has inspired countless young athletes across Nigeria.
If she wins, Okoronkwo will join a select list of Nigerian greats, including Asisat Oshoala, who have dominated African women’s football.
“We want to defend our crown” – Okoronkwo on WAFCON ambition
Esther Okoronkwo has also assured and promised her commitment to helping the Super Falcons retain their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco next year.
Speaking after her CAF nomination, she said:
“We’re not going there to not want to win … We want to defend our crown for sure.”
The Super Falcons’ camp as they prepare to defend their 10th continental crown at the 2026 WAFCON, which will run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, in Morocco.
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Toronto to face Vancouver Rise in NSL Final
The result booked AFC Toronto’s place in the inaugural Northern Super League Championship Final, where they will face Vancouver Rise at BMO Field on Saturday.
Vancouver reached the final after edging Ottawa 5–4 on penalties following a dramatic 3–3 aggregate draw.
Toronto, the regular-season champions, now stand on the brink of a historic domestic double in what has already been a remarkable debut campaign.
