Super Falcons Forward Okoronkwo Faces Racist Abuse After Alleging Theft At Morocco Hotel

Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has been subjected to a wave of racist abuse on social media after alleging that money was stolen from the wallets of several Nigerian players during their stay at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco.

The online attacks followed claims by members of the Nigerian women’s national team that cash disappeared from their hotel rooms while they were away ahead of the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Following the allegations, dozens of social media users, many believed to be Moroccans, flooded Okoronkwo’s Instagram page with abusive comments, with some using racist stereotypes and sharing images of monkeys and gorillas to mock the striker.

One Instagram user, identified as @mmeedd23, criticised Okoronkwo for speaking publicly about the alleged theft and defended Morocco while making comments widely viewed as racially insensitive.

“Don’t you ever speak bad about Moroccan women. I am not gonna say things racist here. We apologise about that but I am sure where are you from is nowhere close to Morocco beauty and progress and I am sure the place they gave you to stay and the pitchs (sic) where you train you won’t have them in Nigeria only after 200 years so stay humble and never bite the hand that feeds you even for small amount of time.”

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Another user, identified as el_youssefy_yousef041, wrote: “There is no place for you in Morocco; go back to the country that suits your savagery, lack of awareness, and disrespect for people-and for Moroccans.”

A third user, maryem_bouf, also criticised the Nigerian international, posting: “Respect Morocco and its people you ill-mannered person and when you return to your country Nigeria don’t forget to film the thousands of Nigerians living in wooden shacks built over polluted foul-smelling water can you tell us how the children and women there breathe and live in such conditions instead of insulting another country.”

Other users, including Hannounimad and m.e.r.y.e.m_belcaid, posted images of primates in apparent reference to Okoronkwo, reinforcing racist tropes historically used to dehumanise Black people.

The abuse came after reports that several Super Falcons players accused hotel staff of stealing a combined $1,220 from their wallets during their stay in Casablanca.

According to the allegations, Okoronkwo lost $700, while team captain Rasheedat Ajibade reportedly lost $200. Veteran defender Osinachi Ohale and midfielder Halimatu Ayinde allegedly lost $100 each, while Joy Omewa was said to have lost $120.

The players claimed the money went missing while they were away from their rooms, raising concerns about security at the team’s accommodation during the tournament.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) nor the management of the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca had publicly responded to the theft allegations or announced an investigation.

Similarly, Moroccan authorities and Meta, the parent company of Instagram, had yet to comment on the racist messages directed at the Nigerian forward.