₦airaland Forum

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, has denied a viral claim that he was carrying eight-year-old Esther Okoronkwo on his shoulders at the Reebok Stadium in 2005.

The 28-year-old Okoronkwo inspired Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title triumph in Morocco on Saturday.

After going 2-0 down in the first half against the hosts, Okoronkwo scored a penalty to half the deficit and also assisted Folashade Ijamilusi’s equaliser before setting up Jeniffer Echegini’s winning goal.

The AFC Toronto forward was named Player of the Match, and her exploits soon sparked claims on social media.

One of the posts with this claim was made by X user with the name, #BobMfonmma, who posted a picture of Okocha during his active days, carrying a child on his shoulders with the caption, “Jay Jay Okocha with 8-year-old Esther Okoronkwo at the Reebok Stadium in 2005. Anointed from childhood!”

PUNCH Online contacted Okocha to fact-check this narrative that is spreading across social media, but he denied the claim and rubbished the narrative.

“That’s nonsense. This is my son,” the ex-Bolton midfielder told our correspondent.

Since the WAFCON tournament, Okoronkwo has won the hearts of many Nigerians, after scoring two goals plus six assists.

She was a super sub in Nigeria’s first two games, coming on as a second-half substitute and providing assists (two) before being named in the starting lineup from the third game against Algeria till the final.

Nigeria’s thrilling win against Morocco on Saturday marked the 10th triumph of the Super Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

That picture of Okocha and Esther Okoronkwo that I posted yesterday for cruise purposes is a trending search on Google as we speak and some blogs have carried it.

Just to be clear, Esther is not related to Jay Jay Okocha or Isaac Okoronkwo, former Super Eagle international.

🤲

I dey fight for my life for my own CS😭😂

I responded to some so they know it was cruise. I muted the conversation. It’s going to over 1m impressions now. Did a google search and it came out. I say Omo make I come clear air o.

This particular agenda, everybody chop am😂😭

Just to be clear, I just had it confirmed with her, Esther Okoronkwo is not the daughter of former Super Eagles defender Isaac Okoronkwo

Omooba77:
https://punchng.com/okocha-denies-carrying-super-falcons-okoronkwo-in-viral-2005-picture/

naptu2:
The guy that started the rumour has admitted that he was just "catching cruise" and he was shocked that the story has gone so far.

Bob @BobMfonmma



https://x.com/BobMfonmma/status/1949509469915709760?t=vZiQS0SOyF62592_wucuPA&s=19

Fyi,chimgozirim @UtdCitypriest



https://x.com/UtdCitypriest/status/1949511522633359626?t=TLENjBMge456b-cnoDagjg&s=19

Bob @BobMfonmma



https://x.com/BobMfonmma/status/1949511917287973146?t=9T6L2bBDDq_gAaJveOYl-Q&s=19[/quote]Na that cruise go put am for trouble soon.

He is acting suprised on top lie that he put as fact

Majesty7:
What gives people confidence to post lies? Is it a form of mental illness or what?

ZombieDredd:
I believe so.

He called the lies cruise.
That the new name for it

Omooba77:
https://punchng.com/okocha-denies-carrying-super-falcons-okoronkwo-in-viral-2005-picture/

GanagiBitrus:
Lol!
Reminds me of Messi bathing Lamine Yamal.

Though I don't know if Messi denied it.