Esther Okoronkwo scores the decisive goal as AFC Toronto beats Kansas City 3–2 at the World Sevens Football tournament in Fort Lauderdale

Nigerian forward Esther Okoronkwo scored the decisive goal as AFC Toronto secured a 3–2 victory over Kansas City Current in the World Sevens Football tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Also read: Okoronkwo hat-trick sends Toronto to NSL final

The 28-year-old striker, who had previously scored in Toronto’s opening defeat to Tigres, now has two goals in three matches for the Canadian side.

Kansas City initially took the lead through Alexandra Pfeiffer in the fifth minute, but Toronto responded swiftly.

Kaylee Hunter equalised in the eighth minute with an assist from Okoronkwo and then scored a stunning long-range strike four minutes later to give Toronto a 2–1 lead. Pfeiffer levelled the score again for Kansas City at 2–2, stalling Toronto’s momentum.

Okoronkwo appeared to restore Toronto’s advantage shortly afterwards, but the goal was disallowed due to the ball going out of play.

The winning moment came in the 29th minute when Hunter delivered a low cross from the flank, allowing Okoronkwo to tap home the winner.

Toronto defended resolutely to maintain the lead and secure their first victory of the tournament.

Despite the win, Toronto and Kansas City were eliminated after the group stage, each recording just one victory from three matches.

Toronto had previously lost 3–2 to Mexico’s Tigres, despite goals from Okoronkwo and Nikki Small, and drew 2–2 with Flamengo before losing on penalties.

Tigres UANL and Flamengo advanced to the semifinals against Club America and San Diego Wave respectively.

Okoronkwo, ranked 98th globally in The Guardian’s best player list, recently became the first player from Canada’s Northern Super League to feature on the ranking.

She ended the regular season with eight goals and seven assists and capped her AFCON campaign with two goals, six assists, and a player-of-the-match performance in Nigeria’s 3–2 victory over Morocco.

The World Sevens Football series features eight professional seven-a-side clubs from across the globe.

The Fort Lauderdale edition is the second tournament of 2025, following the inaugural event in Portugal, which Bayern Munich won against Manchester United.

Also read: Esther Okoronkwo Snubbed in CAF Women’s Player Award

The series has secured five years of investment and continues to attract top international clubs.