Former England footballer Eniola Aluko has shared her reasons for choosing to represent the Three Lionesses rather than Nigeria’s Super Falcons. Although she was born in Lagos to Nigerian parents, she opted to play for England, unlike her brother Sone Aluko. Throughout her career, she earned over 100 caps for the England national team before retiring in 2016. Aluko also played for Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics, appearing in all four matches. During her eight years at Chelsea, she scored 68 goals in 158 matches, setting a club record that was later surpassed by Fran Kirby in December 2020. Aluko emphasized that during her time, Nigeria was not a visible or accessible option for her, and she often receives questions about her choice. The distinction between Sone and me is that he had an option. “I didn’t truly have an option,” Eniola Aluko shared on The Obi One podcast. She explained that she joined the England youth teams at the age of 14, during a time when women’s football lacked the current level of investment. “The Nigerian national team wasn’t really a reality; I didn’t even realize it was a possibility, to be honest.” Playing in England often means that joining the national team is a viable choice. I also receive quite a bit of criticism from Nigerians. While I can’t change the decision, I feel immense pride in representing England. “I take great pride in my accomplishments, having earned 104 caps over the span of 11 years, a feat I never imagined I would reach. Meanwhile, I have always supported my brother in his journey with Nigeria. I’ve attended several of his matches, including a memorable trip to Egypt to watch him play, and of course, I cheer for Nigeria as well.”
