Super Falcons hit by racist abuse ahead of WAFCON title defence

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have become the target of racist attacks on social media as they prepare to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown in Morocco.

Several members of the nine-time African champions have reportedly been subjected to offensive posts from online accounts using monkey emojis, banana emojis and images of primates following recent controversies involving the team.

The disturbing incidents come just days before Nigeria begins its campaign at the 2026 WAFCON tournament.

The Super Falcons have already arrived in Morocco and are finalising preparations for the competition.

The team initially trained in Casablanca before relocating to Rabat ahead of its opening Group C match against Malawi on July 28, as previously reported by Very Nigerian.

Despite the online abuse, the Nigerian side remains focused on its quest to win another continental title.

The online attacks followed allegations by Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo that cash was stolen from players’ rooms at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, where the team initially camped.

Okoronkwo had claimed via Snapchat that she lost about $700, while teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Halimatu Ayinde and Joy Omewa also allegedly lost cash before the team moved to Rabat.

Following the allegations, numerous social media accounts, believed to belong to Moroccan users, flooded Okoronkwo’s Instagram page with abusive comments.

Many of the comments contained monkey emojis, gorilla images and other primate references widely recognised as racist tropes used to dehumanise Black people.

Very Nigerian on Monday reported that following the players’ public complaints, Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer, Colin Udoh, disclosed that the case had made significant progress.

“I have been informed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft at the Super Falcons’ Marriott Hotel in Casablanca and has confessed. Full restitution will be made to the players while the law takes its course,” Udoh posted on Sunday.

The racist abuse was not limited to Okoronkwo, with reports indicating that other Super Falcons players also became targets of similar comments across social media platforms.

The latest incident mirrors an earlier case involving Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide, who was racially abused after commenting on a separate Confederation of African Football controversy involving Morocco.

Recall that Babajide had criticised CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco through an administrative forfeiture.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerian forward questioned the decision on social media before sharing an image celebrating Senegal’s triumph.

After her post, an individual sent multiple monkey and banana emojis to her Instagram direct messages in what she described as racist abuse.

Babajide later shared screenshots of the messages on X, exposing the incident.

Monkey emojis, banana emojis and primate imagery have repeatedly been identified by anti-racism organisations as coded forms of racial abuse directed at Black athletes across football and other sports.

The Super Falcons are in Morocco seeking a record-extending continental title after completing a dramatic comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the previous Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, securing their 10th African crown.

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