Super Falcons attacker Esther Okoronkwo marked her comeback to club football with Canadian outfit AFC Toronto on Saturday, setting up a goal in their 2-1 victory over Montreal Roses.
After helping Nigeria clinch their record 10th WAFCON trophy in Morocco last month, the midfielder wasted no time in linking up with her club and leaving her mark, as Toronto tightened their grip on first place in the Northern Super League.
Toronto’s goals came from Nikayla Small and Kaylee Hunter. Small broke through in the 24th minute, calmly finishing after being played in by a precise through pass from Sarah Stratigakis during a swift counterattack.
Hunter doubled the advantage in the 37th minute with a long-range rocket from outside the box — her ninth of the season and a team-high — following a smart chest layoff from Okoronkwo.
Montreal clawed one back in first-half stoppage time when Stephanie Hill met a corner from Latifah Abdu with a firm header, but Toronto held on for the win.
With 31 points from 16 fixtures, Toronto now lead Montreal by six points at the top of the NSL table, though their closest rivals still have a match in hand.
The rivalry remains evenly balanced with two wins apiece, and they will face off again in Toronto on October 18, which will close out the regular season.
During the WAFCON, Okoronkwo delivered an outstanding seven assists along with two crucial goals, one of them coming from the penalty spot in the final.
