Nigerian Super Falcons allege theft at Casablanca Marriott, face racist abuse

Nigeria’s women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, said staff at the Marriott hotel in Casablanca entered their rooms and stole cash. Forward Esther Okoronkwo reported a loss of $700, while teammates captain Rasheedat Ajibade ($200), Joy Omewa ($120), Osinachi Ohale ($100) and Halimatu Ayinde ($100) also cited missing money, bringing the total to about $1,200. The players confronted hotel personnel but received no satisfactory explanation.

Following the public accusations on Snapchat, Okoronkwo was bombarded with racist comments on Instagram, many from accounts appearing to be Moroccan, comparing the players to monkeys and gorillas. Neither the Nigerian Football Federation nor the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a statement, and the hotel has remained silent. The incident comes days before the Super Falcons defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title against Malawi in Rabat.