A claim that an image shows Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo carrying six-month-old Esther Okoronkwo has been circulating online.
The photo, which has been shared widely on social media platforms such as Instagram and X, is being circulated with the claim that Esther is the daughter of former Nigerian footballer Issac Okoronkwo, The FactCheckHub observed.
The image was posted by an X user, @donlucatoni with the caption:
On Instagram, a user posted the picture, which was a screenshot from X. The caption alongside reads in part:
...carried by KANU in 2001….No wonder she plays like legendary KANU….Her name is ESTHER OKORONKWO….She won WOMAN OF THE MATCH AGAINST MOROCCO in wafcon final…
Esther Okoronkwo is a member of the Super Falcons team that recently clinched victory at the 2025 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco on Sunday, July 28, 2025.
READ :Â No, Labbadia did not reject Super Eagle’s job because politicians demand bribe from him
The Nigerian international forward, 28, has now etched her name into the annals of football history following her remarkable contributions to the senior women’s national team throughout the competition.
In the finals against hosts Morocco, the Super Falcons were trailing by two goals before half-time. Okoronkwo’s decisive play was pivotal in setting the stage for Nigeria’s crucial comeback, which ultimately sealed their championship win. Her performance not only boosted team morale but also underscored her growing influence as one of Africa’s top forwards.
CLAIM
Image shows Kanu Nwankwo with a 6-month-old Esther Okoronkwo.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING!
The FactCheckHub conducted a reverse image search on the image, and the result shows that it was used as a featured image in a story by Reports Mind three years ago.
The report clarified that the picture is an old photo of Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo with his son, Kachi, as a baby during his time at former Premier League club Portsmouth.
READ MORE :Â No, video does NOT show Nigerian Liverpool fans mourning Diogo Jota
Further checks by The FactCheckHub revealed that the same image was also posted on Kanu’s official Instagram page on August 24, 2024, as part of a photo carousel. The post, which included other pictures of the same child with a woman, was made to celebrate Kachi’s birthday. In the caption, Kanu explicitly identified the baby as his son, Kachi.
This plethora of evidence confirms that the claim linking the baby in the image to Esther Okoronkwo or former footballer Isaac Okoronkwo is misleading.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the mage shows Kanu Nwankwo with 6-month-old Esther Okoronkwo is misleading; the baby in the picture is Kanu’s son, Kachi Nwankwo.
Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org.
