Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo fired AFC Toronto into the inaugural Northern Super League (NSL)championship final with a stunning first-half hat-trick.
Her goals inspired a 4-1 win over the Montreal Roses in Monday’s snow-covered semifinal at York Lions Stadium, completing a 6-1 aggregate victory for the regular-season champions.
The 28-year-old Nigerian scored in the 7th, 20th, and 26th minutes, before Lauren Rowe added the fourth. Tanya Boychuk netted Montreal’s only goal in the 74th.
Fans hailed Okoronkwo as “Africa’s next big star,” recalling her standout showing at the 2024 WAFCON, where she scored three goals for Nigeria.
Toronto coach Marko Milanović praised her as “a big-time player who always delivers in big moments.”
AFC Toronto will face Vancouver Rise in Saturday’s NSL final at BMO Field after Vancouver advanced on penalties against Ottawa.
