Okoronkwo Hat-trick Sends AFC Toronto To NSL Final

Super Falcons forward and CAF Women’s Best Player nominee, Esther Okoronkwo, scored a remarkable hat-trick in just 27 minutes, leading AFC Toronto to a 4-1 victory over Montreal in the Northern Super League playoffs semi-final and sending her side to the final.

Her goals secured a commanding win over the Montreal Roses in yesterday’s snow-covered semi-final at York Lions Stadium. Okoronkwo, who recorded eight goals and eight assists during the regular season, wasted no time building on her impressive form.

The 28-year-old netted in the 7th, 20th, and 26th minutes, putting the regular-season champions firmly in control and completing a 6-1 aggregate victory over the visitors. Lauren Rowe added Toronto’s fourth goal in the 83rd minute, while Tanya Boychuk scored a consolation for Montreal in the 74th.

Fans and pundits on social media praised Okoronkwo’s performance, calling her “Africa’s next big star” and drawing comparisons to her impactful role in Nigeria’s run to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semifinals, where she scored three goals.

She was previously crowned Nigeria’s Baller of the Week in September after contributing to a hat-trick in Toronto’s 7-0 demolition of Vancouver Rise. “It was a complete team effort. The work from (Kaylee Hunter), alongside Esther, was incredible until she came off, and she was the one who set up that first goal as well,” said Toronto coach Marko Milanović.

“As for Esther, we know what she’s capable of. She’s a big-time player who always delivers in big moments — we saw it at the Africa Cup of Nations, and now again in this semi-final. Hopefully, we’ll see more of that in the final too.”

Toronto had previously won the first leg 2-0 on 1 November at Stade Boreale in Montreal, with goals from Small and Hunter. They will now face the Vancouver Rise in Saturday’s NSL Final at BMO Field. Vancouver advanced after defeating Ottawa 5-4 on penalties, following a 3-3 aggregate draw in their semi-final. The second leg of the Toronto-Montreal tie was rescheduled to Monday due to heavy snowfall across the Toronto area.