Seven(7️⃣) Reasons Esther Okoronkwo Must Not Be In A Hurry To Leave Canada'S Nsl For Now.

Footballers make different choices depending on a number of peculiarities which fuels such. A lot happens behind the scene and certain factors shape their mindset with respect to making those choices. 

 

Half a season at the Northern Super League and she replicated the incredible form from club at home, practically delivering the WAFCON24 Cup to us against all the odds stacked against Super Falcons at the Grand Finale.

 

So it's very laughable when some practically command her to "Report to Europe" because???

 

A lot don't even know Canada Women’s football Team is rated Top 10 in the World and competes effectively with the US, same as the League. 

The Canada National Women’s Soccer Team won the 2021 Olympic and has one of the most enviable records at the event till today. 

 

Infact, two of the U-17 girls that beat our Flamingos 4-1 at the ongoing World Cup are Esther's team mates at AFC Toronto- that is how strong the "New League" have proven to be.

 

Now, let me give an insight to some of the reasons she chose a League that is obviously working for her and giving her the numbers to excel at Club and Country:

✳️Regular Game Time: Any serious player knows this is what helps them to be game sharp, competitive and attain match form/fitness. Esther struggled for playing time at UDG Tenerife, playing only 7 games in an entire season before she asked to leave. She went to China and only played 5 games and of course poor visibility didn't help either. So getting an AFC Toronto club that fields her week in and out is sure a big deal - one that has sharpened the blunt edges that came from lack of playing time and have now made her a  chief tormentor and ter*ror to defenders. 

 

✳️First Season Without an Injury:

Esther Okoronkwo has dealt from one injury blow to another since she went Professional in 2021- twice with Anterior Cruciate Ligament and other times with other types not as terrible as the ACL, so if for the first time since her professional career  Kickstart, she is playing without an injury, then let her ride easy on the "lucky charm" AFC Toronto has brought her.

 

✳️Proximity to Family: Family First we say so if she made the move from China to Canada because of proximity to her family after being so far away from her family in Texas, since her her professional career kicked off, then it sure works for her and brings the needed stability.

 

✳️Language Barrier: 

She is obviously excited to be in a place that speaks English, after sojourn at St Etienne in France, UDG Tenerife Egatesa in Spain and Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue, China where she had to deal with languages like French, Spanish and Chinese. For some, the language is a big deal and they just want to play football without having to deal with the language barrier. So Canada apparently works better for her.

 

✳️Winning Laurels With AFC Toronto: 

At the end of one's professional football career, the player wants to look back at the Laurels won, accolades received and recognition attained 

with a smile of fulfillment that they Came, Saw and Conquered.

 

At St Etienne,  UDG Tenerife Egatesa and Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue, she didn't have luxury of Laurels, So if she is now living that dream with the NSL Shield in hand and prospect of the Trophy on the other hand after the playoffs, why rush her out of such fantasy becoming reality?

 

✳️Stability and Record Building: I personally feel it is wise to stay and steadily build a strong resume from being an impact player at AFC Toronto, before a making a move that will give her the upper hand at negotiation table- one that will make AFC Toronto  renegotiate a sweeter deal with her if they really want her to stay back or make Esther leave with a fulfilling smile if she decides the new deal elsewhere will make more sense.

 

✳️What She Thinks About The Northern Super League:

"I think this league is also going to be one of the best in women's football very soon,".

"There's quality in players, in treatment and overall professionalism that has helped my game improve.".

Quality of Player is top notch, I testify!!!