Super Falcons suffer racist abuse ahead of WAFCON title defence in Morocco

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been subjected to racist abuse on social media ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with several players targeted by accounts posting monkey emojis, banana emojis and primate images following recent controversies involving the team.

The latest wave of abuse comes as the tenth-time African champions prepare to begin their title defence at the tournament after arriving in Morocco for the competition.

PidomNigeria Online had earlier reported that the Super Falcons intensified preparations in Casablanca before relocating to Rabat ahead of their Group C opener against Malawi on July 28.

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.

PidomNigeria Online 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.