Ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been the focus of racist social media abuse. Following recent problems involving the squad, accounts have posted photos of primates, bananas, and monkey emojis.
After traveling to Morocco for the competition, the tenth-time African champions are getting ready to start their title defense at the event when they receive the most recent round of abuse.
Before moving to Rabat for their Group C opening against Malawi on July 28, the Super Falcons stepped up their preparations in Casablanca.
The internet attacks came after Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo claimed that money had been taken from players’ rooms at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, where the team had first set up camp.
Before the squad relocated to Rabat, teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Halimatu Ayinde, and Joy Omewa also reportedly lost money, according to Okoronkwo’s Snapchat claim that she lost roughly $700.
Following the accusations, Okoronkwo’s Instagram profile was inundated with derogatory remarks from a number of social media accounts that were thought to be owned by Moroccan individuals.
Monkey emojis, pictures of gorillas, and other references to primates that are often known as racist clichés meant to dehumanize Black people were seen in many of the comments.
According to reports, Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer Colin Udoh said that the matter had advanced significantly in response to the players’ public concerns.
“I’ve been told that a suspect in the heist at the Super Falcons’ Marriott Hotel in Casablanca has been taken into custody and has confessed. While the legal process is ongoing, the players will receive full compensation, Udoh wrote on Sunday.
According to reports, Okoronkwo was not the only Super Falcons player targeted by racial remarks on social media.
The most recent incident is similar to a previous instance in which Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide was subjected to racial abuse after making remarks regarding a different Confederation of African Football scandal involving Morocco.
Remember that Babajide had expressed disapproval of CAF’s decision to administratively forfeit Senegal’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations championship in favor of Morocco.
The Nigerian forward responded to the news by questioning the choice on social media before posting a picture commemorating Senegal’s victory.
She described the numerous banana and monkey emojis that someone sent to her Instagram direct messages following her post as racist harassment.
The event was later made public when Babajide posted screenshots of the messages on X.
Anti-racism organizations have regularly recognized emojis of monkeys, bananas, and primates as coded forms of racial abuse aimed at Black athletes in football and other sports.
After making a stunning comeback to overcome hosts Morocco 3-2 in the previous Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final and win their tenth African championship, the Super Falcons are in Morocco in search of a record-extending continental trophy.
