Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha has reacted to claims that he carried eight-year-old Esther Okoronkwo on his shoulders at the Reebok Stadium in 2005.
Okoronkwo (28) was part of the Super Falcons squad that won a 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco on Saturday night (July 26).
Despite trailing 2-0 in the first half against the hosts, she scored to reduce the deficit and provided vital assists to Folashade Ijamilusi and Jennifer Echegini.
The Toronto AFC forward earned the Player of the Match Award, and the social media space was awash with posts about her.
One of those was from an X user, @BobMfonmma, who shared a photograph of Okocha carrying a child and added the caption:
“Jay-Jay Okocha with 8-year-old Esther Okoronkwo at the Reebok Stadium in 2005. Anointed from childhood!"
Jay Jay Okocha with 8 years old Esther Okoronkwo at the Reebok Stadium in 2005 🥹❤️
— BOB ♠️ (@BobMfonmma) July 26, 2025
Anointed from childhood!#WAFCON #WAFCON2025 #MissionX Super Falcons pic.twitter.com/3uhafWGseq
However, the Nigerian legend was unimpressed with the claims and dismissed the narrative.
Speaking to The Punch, he commented:
“That’s nonsense. This is my son."
The attention surrounding Okoronkwo came after her two goals and six assists at the recently concluded 2025 WAFCON in Morocco.
Initially a substitute in Nigeria’s first two matches, she joined the starting team from the third game against Algeria through to the final.
This is the country's 10th continental title, according to FIFA, adding to wins in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
