Super Falcons star Chidinma Okeke has written her name into Nigerian football history after helping Club América Femenil win the 2026 Liga MX Femenil Clausura title in dramatic fashion, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Mexican giants defeated Rayadas de Monterrey 3-0 in the second leg of the final on Sunday night at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City to complete a 3-1 aggregate comeback triumph.
The trophy triumph brought to an end years of frustration for Club América. The club had lost four Liga MX Femenil finals in a row and arrived at the decisive second leg carrying the emotional scars of previous defeats, including an earlier painful final loss to Monterrey on penalties. After losing the first leg 1-0 away from home, pressure surrounded head coach Ángel Villacampa and his players.
But América produced one of their finest performances of the season when it mattered most. Spanish midfielder Irene Guerrero opened the scoring just before half-time in the 44th minute to ignite the stadium. Brazilian forward Geyse Ferreira doubled the advantage six minutes after the restart, before captain Scarlett Camberos calmly converted a penalty in the 80th minute to seal the title.
Veteran goalkeeper Sandra Paños delivered a commanding display behind a disciplined defence that completely shut down Monterrey’s dangerous attack. The final also became an emotional farewell for Paños, who announced that she would leave the club after the campaign.
Nigeria international Okeke played the last seven minutes of regulation time after replacing left-back Mariela Sofia Ramos Alva in the 83rd minute. The 25-year-old defender was a 77th minute substitute in the first leg.
The Super Falcons star endured a difficult 2025 season after injuries disrupted her progress and forced her to miss key moments during América’s previous title chase. This season, she returned to fitness and became an important squad option during the club’s successful run to the championship.
Although she did not start the final itself, Okeke played a significant role during the Clausura campaign. She featured prominently in the semi-final victory over Toluca, where América secured a dominant 11-4 aggregate win to book their place in the final.
Her ability to operate both as a centre-back and left-back gave Villacampa valuable tactical flexibility throughout the season.
With the title win, Okeke became the first Nigerian player ever to win a Liga MX Femenil title with Club América. She joined the club from Japanese side Mynavi Sendai in 2024.
Okeke: Nigerians continue to leave their mark in Mexico
Okeke’s success is another reminder of the increasing impact Nigerian players are having in women’s football across Mexico.
Before her arrival at América, Uchenna Kanu had already opened doors for Nigerian stars in the league during her spell with Tigres UANL Femenil. Kanu became the first Nigerian and one of the first African players to win the Liga MX Femenil title, earning massive respect for her goals, movement and physical presence in attack.
At Pachuca Femenil, Nigeria internationals Chinwendu Ihezuo and Osinachi Ohale also established themselves as key figures. Ihezuo and Ohale played vital roles as Pachuca lifted the Liga MX Femenil title last year.
However, Pachuca could only finish in third place this term as Okeke and Club América powered to the trophy.
Her achievement will also encourage the Super Falcons coaching crew ahead of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Okeke was not included in Nigeria's squad to the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations last year where the Super Falcons claimed the country's 10th crown. Both Ihezuo and Ohale made that squad following their success with Pachuca. Okeke will hope she has done enough to impress handlers of the national team with only weeks before the 2026 WAFCON.
However, with defenders such as Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Shukurat Oladipo, Tosin Demehin and Okeke competing for places, Nigeria head coach Justine Madugu now has experienced options heading into the tournament.
Okeke and Club América could still add more silverware this summer. The Mexican champions are preparing for a busy period that includes a Concacaf W Champions Cup semi-final clash against NJ/NY Gotham FC and a Champion of Champions showdown against Tigres.
