Olaleye IDOWU
Former England international Eniola Aluko has maintained that the Super Eagles’ strike was not the main reason Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Recall that the national team decided to embark on strike two days before their crucial African playoff semifinal against Gabon, to force the hands of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, to pay their entitlement.
However, the team ended the dispute and went on to beat Gabon after extra time, but suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoff final.
Aluko insisted that Nigerian players failed to deliver against the Leopards, being the reason they will not be at the World Cup.
“We are not going to the FIFA World Cup because we lost to DR Congo. They were not good enough on the day,” Aluko said on ThePlayzone podcast.
Aluko, who played her football for Chelsea, added, “I agree we should have won, but going on strike is not the reason we lost the game.
“But I think the timing was wrong. I agree that if they agree to do that, they are not focusing 100% on what they need to do.
“My point is to eliminate the chance for any player to do that, and when I say that, I’m talking about the Federation and management.
“That’s an easy thing. Just pay people on time so they don’t have an excuse to say when they lose.”
While Lagos-born Eniola played her international football for England, earning over 100 caps, her brother, Sone Aluko, played for the Super Eagles.
