Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been subjected to racist abuse on social media ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with several players targeted by accounts posting monkey emojis, banana emojis and primate images following recent controversies involving the team.

The latest wave of abuse comes as the nine-time African champions prepare to begin their title defence at the tournament after arriving in Morocco for the competition.

It had earlier been reported that the Super Falcons intensified preparations in Casablanca before relocating to Rabat ahead of their Group C opener against Malawi on July 28.

The online attacks followed allegations by Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo that cash was stolen from players’ rooms at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, where the team initially camped.

Okoronkwo had claimed via Snapchat that she lost about $700, while teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Halimatu Ayinde and Joy Omewa also allegedly lost cash before the team moved to Rabat.

Following the allegations, numerous social media accounts, believed to belong to Moroccan users, flooded Okoronkwo’s Instagram page with abusive comments.

Many of the comments contained monkey emojis, gorilla images and other primate references widely recognised as racist tropes used to dehumanise Black people.

According to Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer, Colin Udoh, the case had made significant progress following the players’ public complaints.

“I have been informed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft at the Super Falcons’ Marriott Hotel in Casablanca and has confessed. Full restitution will be made to the players while the law takes its course,” Udoh posted on Sunday.

The racist abuse was not limited to Okoronkwo, with reports indicating that other Super Falcons players also became targets of similar comments across social media platforms.