Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has launched a scathing attack on officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), accusing them of deliberately excluding her from the national team’s squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The striker also dismissed claims that she was left out due to injury, describing the explanation being circulated as false and misleading.
In a statement, Okoronkwo alleged that “corrupt officials” within the football federation were responsible for her omission and challenged them to disclose the real reasons behind the decision.
“To those corrupt officials responsible for the decisions that led to my exclusion from the Super Falcons squad, why not tell Nigerians the real truth?” she queried.
The forward said she had remained silent for weeks out of professionalism and respect for the game but could no longer watch what she described as misinformation being spread about her situation.
“For weeks, I have remained silent out of respect, professionalism and love for the game. However, I will not allow false narratives, speculation and misinformation to continue spreading,” she said.
Okoronkwo urged those behind the decision to come clean and stop what she called deceptive explanations regarding her absence from the squad preparing for the continental tournament.
“I urge those in charge to stop lying to Nigerians and tell them the real reasons I was excluded from the team,” she stated.
The Super Falcons star further threatened to reveal what transpired behind the scenes if the federation failed to correct the narrative.
“If the truth is not made known, I will have no choice but to share my own side of the story and expose everything that has happened behind closed doors,” she warned.
The explosive allegations have sparked fresh controversy ahead of the 2026 WAFCON, with football fans now awaiting a response from the Nigeria Football Federation over the claims made by one of the country’s most recognisable women’s football stars.
Further details obtained by this online newspaper indicate that the development has generated intense debate among supporters of the Super Falcons, with many calling for transparency over the squad selection process.
hpc7cf