Nigeria forward Esther Okoronkwo is expected to miss the rest of 2026 after suffering an injury which has yet to receive a definitive diagnosis.
The 29-year-old Super Falcons attacker is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines, with her club head coach Marko Milanovic confirming that she is unlikely to return before the end of the year.
Okoronkwo’s injury comes at a particularly challenging moment for Nigeria, with the Super Falcons preparing to begin their qualification campaign for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
She is expected to miss Nigeria’s upcoming CAF Women’s Olympic Games qualifying tie against Comoros, leaving interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen without one of his experienced attacking options for the opening assignment.
Nigeria will face Comoros in the second round of the Olympic qualifying competition, with the two matches scheduled for 9 and 13 October at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
The uncertainty surrounding Okoronkwo’s condition has added to the concern, as her club’s medical staff have not yet been able to establish exactly when or how the injury occurred.
Milanovic said there was no clear moment that could be identified as the cause of the problem and suggested it could have developed gradually.
“It’s hard to know exactly where it happened. It could have been just wear and tear over a longer period,” Milanovic said.
Medical examinations have so far failed to provide the answers the club was seeking.
Okoronkwo has undergone several MRI scans, but the results have not offered a definitive explanation for the injury. Milanovic said the findings were not as straightforward as expected from the scans.
“Some of the things presented themselves a little differently than what they were, despite MRI usually being able to show you everything,” he explained.
The club is still waiting for additional information before it can reach a final conclusion on the nature of the problem and the best course of treatment.
However, despite the continuing uncertainty, Milanovic indicated that Okoronkwo’s absence is likely to extend for several months.
“So, we’re still waiting to confirm that. But she’s more than likely out for the rest of the year.”
The development is a significant setback for a player who has established herself as an important part of Nigeria’s attacking plans.
Okoronkwo’s ability to make an impact in the final third has made her a valuable option for the Super Falcons, and her absence will force Eguavoen and his technical team to consider alternatives as they begin their Olympic qualification campaign.
Nigeria’s opening challenge comes against Comoros, with the two sides meeting over two legs in October.
The Super Falcons will therefore have to prepare for the tie without Okoronkwo, while the forward focuses on recovering from an injury whose exact nature remains unclear.
Her absence could present an additional tactical challenge for Eguavoen, who has been handed responsibility for guiding Nigeria through the Olympic qualification process.
The timing is particularly significant because the matches against Comoros represent the beginning of Nigeria’s pursuit of a place at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
For Okoronkwo, however, the immediate priority is recovery rather than the national team’s qualification campaign.
The medical team will continue trying to determine precisely what has caused the problem and how best to manage her rehabilitation. Until those questions are answered, there is no definitive timetable for her return.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that the Super Falcons will have to plan for an extended period without one of their attacking players.
Milanovic’s assessment means Okoronkwo is unlikely to feature again before the end of 2026, although the final recovery timeline remains subject to further medical clarification.
Nigeria must now turn its attention to the Comoros tie and find a way to compensate for the forward’s absence.
For the Super Falcons, losing Okoronkwo at the start of their Olympic qualification campaign represents a major blow, while the unresolved nature of her injury makes the situation even more difficult.
Until a definitive diagnosis is reached, both club and country face uncertainty over when the Nigerian forward will be able to return to action.
