AFC Toronto has recently announced contract extensions for Esther Okoronkwo, a standout forward from Nigeria, along with three other players. Okoronkwo, a key player in Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations victory last July, has secured her position with the Northern Super League team until 2027. Her exceptional performance in the final, where she scored a crucial goal and provided two assists in a thrilling 3-2 win over Morocco, earned her the title of player of the match.
The partnership between Okoronkwo and Canadian youngster Kaylee Hunter proved successful for Toronto, with the team topping the league charts with 42 goals. Okoronkwo, at 28 years old, showcased her skills with eight goals and 11 assists in 1,643 minutes of play, contributing significantly to Toronto’s impressive 16-6-3 record in the inaugural NSL regular season. Despite their success, Toronto narrowly missed out on the championship title, falling 2-1 to Vancouver in the final.
In addition to Okoronkwo, the club also extended contracts for Canadian midfielder Zoe Burns, as well as forwards Kaila Novak and Lauren Rowe. Novak’s contract spans until 2026, while Burns and Rowe are committed to the team until 2027. With these extensions, Toronto now boasts a roster of 20 players, solidifying their squad for the upcoming seasons.
The AFC Toronto roster includes a diverse mix of talent, with players hailing from various regions. The goalkeepers consist of Sofia Manner from Finland, Sierra Cota-Yarde from Toronto, and Danielle Krzyzaniak from Caledon, Ont. The defensive lineup features Croix Soto from the U.S., Kaela Hansen from Burnaby, B.C., Sarah Rollins from Toronto, Zoe Burns from the U.S./Canada, Ashley Cathro from Victoria, and Victoria Pickett from Barrie, Ont. The midfield is anchored by players like April Lantaigne from Whitby, Ont., Nikayla Small from Pickering, Ont., Samantha Chang from Mississauga, Ont., Sarah Stratigakis from Toronto, Nyota Katembo from Montreal, Cloey Uddenberg from Richmond Hill, Ont., and Colby Barnett from the U.S. The forward line includes Kaila Novak from London, Ont., Esther Okoronkwo from Nigeria, Kaylee Hunter from Calgary, and Lauren Rowe from Conception Bay South, N.L.