Former Super Eagles captain Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha has refuted a viral social media claim suggesting he once carried Nigerian forward Esther Okoronkwo on his shoulders in a photo taken in 2005.
The claim resurfaced online following Okoronkwo’s standout performance in Nigeria’s dramatic win at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where she played a key role in helping the Super Falcons secure their 10th continental title.
The 28-year-old striker scored a penalty to spark Nigeria’s comeback from a 2–0 deficit, provided the assist for the equaliser, and later set up the winning goal. Her efforts earned her the Player of the Match award in the final.
The narrative gained traction after an X (formerly Twitter) user, @BobMfonmma, posted a throwback image of Okocha carrying a young child on his shoulders at the Reebok Stadium, claiming the child was an eight-year-old Okoronkwo.
The post was captioned, “Jay Jay Okocha with 8-year-old Esther Okoronkwo at the Reebok Stadium in 2005. Anointed from childhood!”
However, Okocha swiftly debunked the claim in a statement to PUNCH Online, making it clear the child in the photo is not Okoronkwo..
“That’s nonsense. This is my son,” said the former Bolton Wanderers star, who played for the English club from 2002 to 2006.
There is no verified connection between Okoronkwo and the 2005 image, despite the viral speculation.
Meanwhile, Okoronkwo’s WAFCON campaign has drawn widespread acclaim. After starting the tournament as a substitute, her consistent impact earned her a place in the starting lineup from the third match onward. She finished the competition with two goals and six assists.
Nigeria’s victory over hosts Morocco secured their record-extending 10th WAFCON title, adding to their previous wins in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
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