Super Falcons forward, Esther Okoronkwo, delivered a stunning first-half hat-trick to send her club, AFC Toronto, into the inaugural Northern Super League championship game.

Her goals helped seal a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Roses in Monday’s snow-covered semifinal at York Lions Stadium.

Okoronkwo, who recorded eight goals and eight assists in 1,486 minutes during the regular season, wasted no time extending that form.

The 28-year-old struck in the 7th, 20th and 26th minutes to put the regular-season champions firmly in control, completing a 6-1 aggregate win over the visitors.

Lauren Rowe added Toronto’s fourth goal in the 83rd minute, while Tanya Boychuk netted Montreal’s consolation in the 74th.

Fans and pundits on social media praised Okoronkwo’s performance, with posts hailing her as “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.

Recall that she was crowned Nigeria’s Baller of the Week in September after her hat-trick of goal contributions in Toronto’s 7-0 demolition of Vancouver Rise.

“It was a complete team effort. The work up top from (Kaylee Hunter), alongside Esther, was incredible until she came off, and she was the one who set up that first goal as well,” Toronto coach Marko Milanović said.

“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 semifinal. Hopefully, we’ll see more of that in the final, too.”

Toronto had won the first leg 2-0 on Nov. 1 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, with their semifinal ending 3-3 on aggregate.

The second leg of the Toronto–Montreal tie had been scheduled for Sunday but was pushed to Monday because of heavy snowfall across the Toronto area.

The Super Eagles’ camp has officially opened in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff against Gabon, with 18 players already on the ground as preparations intensify.

The team confirmed the development in a post on its official X handle on Tuesday, sharing the full list of arrivals under the caption “Eagles in Camp.”

Those in Morocco include Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredericks, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Raphael Onyedika.

Team officials and the first batch of players arrived at the Rive Hotel, Rabat, on Sunday afternoon, signalling the start of the final phase of preparations for the decisive fixture.

The team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, earlier confirmed that early arrivals included the trio of Bassey, Iwobi, and Chukwueze, alongside Arokodare and Olusegun.

Head coach, Eric Chelle, had named a 24-man squad for the playoffs, featuring a blend of returning stars and consistent performers.

Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, and Sevilla winger, Chidera Ejuke, both earned recalls after strong club performances this season.

Nigeria will face Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final clash, while Cameroon will battle the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other fixture at the El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.

Winners of both matches will meet in the final on November 16 to determine who advances to the inter-confederation playoffs for a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The Super Eagles, who last featured at the global tournament in 2018, are aiming to reclaim their place on football’s biggest stage after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.

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