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Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto lifts the Supporters Shield trophy during the celebration ceremony after the Northern Super League match between Montreal Roses FC and AFC Toronto at York Lions Stadium. Copyright: xLeonardoxRamirezxIMAGO
Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo delivered another decisive performance on Saturday, scoring the winning goal as AFC Toronto claimed their first victory at the World Sevens Football tournament with a pulsating 3–2 win over Kansas City Current in Fort Lauderdale, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old forward, who scored in Toronto’s opening-day defeat to Tigres, made it two goals in three games for the Canadian outfit.
Kansas City had started brighter and opened the scoring through Alexandra Pfeiffer in the fifth minute.
AFC Toronto. Photo Credit: Toronto X
But Toronto, anchored by the electric movement of Kaylee Hunter and the clever running of Esther Okoronkwo, found a rhythm that transformed the contest. Hunter equalised in the eighth minute through an Okoronkwo assist, before unleashing a stunning long-range effort four minutes later to flip the score to 2–1.
Esther Okoronkwo-> Kaylee Hunter = Master class #AFCToronto | #RunItOurWay pic.twitter.com/afVrEfPlX7
— AFC Toronto (@AFC_Toronto) December 6, 2025
The match, in classic Sevens fashion, became a restless, breathless back-and-forth. Kansas City hit back through another slick passing move, finished by Pfeiffer, whose brace levelled the score at 2–2 and momentarily quietened Toronto’s momentum.
AFC Toronto. Photo Credit: Toronto X
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Okoronkwo decisive but Toronto crash
Then came the controversy. Esther Okoronkwo thought she had given Toronto the lead when she swept home from close range, only to see the goal ruled out after the assistant referee judged the ball to have earlier gone out of play.
It was a moment that sharpened the edge of an already frenetic encounter, and one that hinted the winner would require something special.
Kaylee Hunter returns the favour to Esther Okoronkwo to secure the W #AFCToronto | #RunItOurWay pic.twitter.com/ABpYl9xSQ6
— AFC Toronto (@AFC_Toronto) December 6, 2025
It arrived in the 29th minute. Hunter, the standout performer of the night, surged down the flank, evaded her marker and delivered a crisp low cross. Okoronkwo ghosted into space with impeccable timing and tapped home the decisive goal, this time without dispute. Toronto defended with new-found calmness to close out the match and secure their first win of the tournament.
AFC Toronto star Esther Okoronkwo. Photo Credit: Toronto X
Despite the win, AFC Toronto exit the competition, alongside Kansas City, after claiming only one victory from their three group games.
Earlier in the tournament, Toronto had fallen 3–2 to Mexico’s Tigres despite Okoronkwo’s opener and a composed strike from Nikki Small. Maria Sanchez’s hat-trick swung that match in Tigres’ favour after Toronto twice led.
Esther Okoronkwo gets the first AFC Toronto goal at the World Sevens #AFCToronto | #RunItOurWay pic.twitter.com/Qp2PycPaZL
— AFC Toronto (@AFC_Toronto) December 6, 2025
On matchday two, AFC Toronto battled to a 2-2 draw with Brazilian giants Flamengo only to lost the tie on penalties.
Tigres UANL and Flamengo, both with six points each, advance to the semifinal of the competition where they will face Club America and San Diego Wave, respectively.
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