Super Falcons suffer racist abuse ahead of WAFCON title defence in Morocco
Nigeria's Super Falcons have faced racist harassment on social media in the lead-up to the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with numerous players being targeted by accounts sharing monkey emojis, banana emojis, and images of primates following recent controversies surrounding the team.
This latest surge of abuse occurs as the nine-time African champions gear up to defend their title at the tournament after arriving in Morocco for the event.
The Super Falcons have ramped up their preparations in Casablanca before moving to Rabat in anticipation of their Group C match against Malawi on July 28.
The online harassment ensued after allegations from Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo, who claimed that money was stolen from players' rooms at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, where the team initially stayed.
Okoronkwo stated on Snapchat that she lost approximately $700, while her teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Halimatu Ayinde, and Joy Omewa also reportedly lost cash before the team transitioned to Rabat.
In the wake of these allegations, numerous social media accounts, believed to be operated by Moroccan users, inundated Okoronkwo's Instagram with derogatory comments.
Many of these comments featured monkey emojis, gorilla images, and other primate references that are widely recognized as racist stereotypes aimed at dehumanizing Black individuals.
In response to the players' public grievances, Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer Colin Udoh revealed that the situation has made considerable 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 confined to Okoronkwo, as reports suggest that other players from the Super Falcons also faced similar derogatory comments on various social media platforms.
The recent incident is reminiscent of a previous case involving Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide, who experienced racial abuse following her remarks on a different controversy related to the Confederation of African Football concerning Morocco.
It is important to note that Babajide had publicly criticized CAF’s decision to revoke Senegal's hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and instead grant it to Morocco through an administrative forfeiture.
In response to this situation, the Nigerian forward expressed her discontent on social media and subsequently posted an image celebrating Senegal’s victory.
Following her post, she received multiple messages containing monkey and banana emojis in her Instagram direct messages, which she labeled as racist abuse.
Babajide later disclosed screenshots of these messages on X, bringing attention to the incident.
Anti-racism organizations have consistently identified monkey emojis, banana emojis, and primate imagery as coded expressions of racial abuse aimed at Black athletes in football and other sports.
The Super Falcons are currently in Morocco, aiming to secure a record-extending continental title after completing a remarkable comeback to defeat the host nation Morocco 3-2 in the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, thereby claiming their 10th African championship.
