Eniola Aluko
Encyclopedia
Eniola "Eni" Aluko is a Nigeria
n-born, English
football forward currently playing for Sky Blue FC
of Women's Professional Soccer
. Aluko moved with her family to Birmingham
when she was one year old. Since she grew up in England, she chose to represent England
at international level.
' youth team under manager Marcus Bignot
and alongside future England
team-mate, Karen Carney
. She scored on her Birmingham team debut against Leeds United
, aged just 14. In April 2002, 15-year-old Aluko played in the FA Women's Premier League Cup final, as a young Birmingham team lost 7–1 to professional Fulham
. Aluko's goalscoring during the following 2002–03 Premier League
season led Bignot to declare her "the Wayne Rooney
of women's football."
Aluko was named Young Player of the Year at the Women’s FA Awards in 2003.
in January 2004, and since then continued to show great promise. Pace is one of great her attributes and this was at the fore when she sprinted onto a through ball from Emma Coss to score the winning goal in the 2005 FA Women’s Cup Final at Upton Park
.
Aluko added to her growing reputation by scoring twice in Charlton's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the 2006 FA Women's Premier League Cup final.
in July 2007.
playing rights were obtained by St. Louis who named her as a post-draft discovery player. She was the team's leading goalscorer for their first season with six goals, and also led in assists with four, making her one of the main reasons Athletica was able to climb from a last place in the first two months of the season to a commanding second by the end. She missed the playoffs
and the All-Star game
due to national team duty.
When Saint Louis Athletica folded part way through the 2010 campaign, Aluko joined Atlanta Beat. She was traded to Sky Blue FC
in December 2010.
, Aluko was called into the England
set-up at the age of 14. She chose to remain loyal to the English coaches who had given her the opportunity to play international football, but said: "The main thing for me is for people to understand that choosing to play for England doesn't mean that I don't support Nigeria. I'm as much Nigerian as I'm British. Of course Nigeria means a lot to me, it's part of me, but I've been brought up by English coaches."
Having represented England at Under-17 level, Aluko scored on her debut at Under-19 level and appeared in the UEFA
Under-19 European Championship Finals in Germany
in July 2003 while aged only 16 years. She later played at Under-21 level, before making her senior debut, aged 17, against the Netherlands
in September 2004. Her first senior goal came against the Czech Republic
at Walsall
in May 2005, and she added two more in the 13–0 away win against Hungary
that October.
Aluko played in UEFA Women's Euro 2005, despite a clash with her A-Level
studies. She sat a history exam on the morning of England's 2–1 defeat to Denmark
. In the final group game against Sweden
Aluko almost scored a bizarre equaliser, but was left disappointed as hosts England lost 1–0 and exited the competition.
At the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007
, Aluko featured in group games against Japan
and Argentina
, as well as the 3–0 quarter-final defeat to the United States
. After the tournament she was critical of the FA and the level of financial support provided to England's top female players. Aluko featured much more prominently at UEFA Women's Euro 2009, scoring in the group match win over Russia
and adding two more in the quarter-final victory over hosts Finland
. She also provided an assist for Kelly Smith
's opening goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands
. In the final Aluko played on the left-wing as England lost out 6–2 to Germany
in Helsinki
.
Aluko netted against Switzerland
in September 2010 as England qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011
. During the final tournament, Aluko responded angrily to public criticism of her performance in the 1–1 draw with Mexico
, in which she wasted multiple goalscoring opportunities. She was substituted at half–time in the following group match against New Zealand, and dropped to the bench for the final group match with Japan
, playing the last half an hour of England's 2–0 win. Aluko was an unused substitute as England were eliminated by France
at the quarter final stage.
, Aluko took her A levels at St Mary's College, Blackburn, Lancashire
. She subsequently went to study Law at Brunel University
, where she graduated with a First class degree in 2008. In July 2009 it was announced that Aluko would spend the 2009-10 US off-season studying for the New York
bar exam before taking a similar exam in England, her aim being to have an entertainment law practice in both England and the United States.
Her younger brother Sone
plays for Glasgow Rangers and was an England
youth international, but in May 2009 accepted a call-up to represent Nigeria
. Her father is a former MP
in Nigeria, while Bolaji Aluko
is her uncle.
As of November 2010, Eniola is an active contributor on Yin & Yang, a popular culture website.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n-born, English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football forward currently playing for Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC is an American professional soccer club based in Piscataway Township, New Jersey which participates in Women's Professional Soccer....
of Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
. Aluko moved with her family to Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
when she was one year old. Since she grew up in England, she chose to represent England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
at international level.
Birmingham City
Aluko started her career at Leafield Athletic Ladies. She then went on to play for Birmingham City LadiesBirmingham City L.F.C.
Birmingham City L.F.C. is a semi-professional English Women's football club who are affiliated to Birmingham City F.C.. They play their home games at Knights Lane, the home of Stratford Town F.C., and were named as founder members of the FA Women's Super League which started in 2011.-History:The...
' youth team under manager Marcus Bignot
Marcus Bignot
Marcus Bignot is an ex-English professional footballer, currently manager of Solihull Moors.-Playing career:...
and alongside future England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
team-mate, Karen Carney
Karen Carney
Karen Julia Carney is an English football forward. She is signed to Birmingham City of the FA WSL and is a member of the England women's national football team.-Start at Birmingham City:Carney joined Birmingham City L.F.C...
. She scored on her Birmingham team debut against Leeds United
Leeds United L.F.C.
Leeds United Ladies Football Club are an English women's football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They compete in the FA Women's Premier League National Division for the 2009–10 season and are one of two Yorkshire teams in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, along with...
, aged just 14. In April 2002, 15-year-old Aluko played in the FA Women's Premier League Cup final, as a young Birmingham team lost 7–1 to professional Fulham
Fulham L.F.C.
WFC Fulham, previously known as Fulham LFC, was a Ladies Football Club formerly associated with Fulham Football Club. The team were dissolved as of 16 May 2006, but were later re-established with independence from Fulham F.C....
. Aluko's goalscoring during the following 2002–03 Premier League
FA Women's Premier League National Division
The FA Women's Premier League National Division is the second level of the English women's football league pyramid. From 1991 until the introduction of the summer competition FA Women's Super League the National Division functioned as the top league in England. Below it are simultaneously the...
season led Bignot to declare her "the Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
of women's football."
Aluko was named Young Player of the Year at the Women’s FA Awards in 2003.
Charlton Athletic
She left to join Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic Women's Football Club play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in England. Between 2000, the year it was founded from Croydon Women's F.C. and 2007, Charlton had one of the most successful women's teams in England...
in January 2004, and since then continued to show great promise. Pace is one of great her attributes and this was at the fore when she sprinted onto a through ball from Emma Coss to score the winning goal in the 2005 FA Women’s Cup Final at Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
.
Aluko added to her growing reputation by scoring twice in Charlton's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the 2006 FA Women's Premier League Cup final.
Chelsea
Following the withdrawal of support for the Charlton ladies team by the parent club, Aluko joined Chelsea LadiesChelsea L.F.C.
Chelsea Ladies Football Club are a semi-professional English women's football club affiliated with Chelsea F.C.. They have competed in the top tier of women's football in England, the Premier League National Division, since 2005...
in July 2007.
United States
In October 2008 Aluko's Women's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
playing rights were obtained by St. Louis who named her as a post-draft discovery player. She was the team's leading goalscorer for their first season with six goals, and also led in assists with four, making her one of the main reasons Athletica was able to climb from a last place in the first two months of the season to a commanding second by the end. She missed the playoffs
2009 Women's Professional Soccer Playoffs
The 2009 WPS Playoffs were the postseason to Women's Professional Soccer's 2009 Season, that started on August 15 and culminated on August 22 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.-Format:...
and the All-Star game
WPS All-Star 2009
The 2009 Women's Professional Soccer All-Star Game was the first WPS All-Star Game. In a format similar to that of recent all-star games in Major League Soccer, the WPS All-Stars played Swedish club powerhouse Umeå IK on August 30, 2009, eight days after the league's championship game...
due to national team duty.
When Saint Louis Athletica folded part way through the 2010 campaign, Aluko joined Atlanta Beat. She was traded to Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC is an American professional soccer club based in Piscataway Township, New Jersey which participates in Women's Professional Soccer....
in December 2010.
International career
Although born in NigeriaNigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, Aluko was called into the England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
set-up at the age of 14. She chose to remain loyal to the English coaches who had given her the opportunity to play international football, but said: "The main thing for me is for people to understand that choosing to play for England doesn't mean that I don't support Nigeria. I'm as much Nigerian as I'm British. Of course Nigeria means a lot to me, it's part of me, but I've been brought up by English coaches."
Having represented England at Under-17 level, Aluko scored on her debut at Under-19 level and appeared in the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
Under-19 European Championship Finals in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in July 2003 while aged only 16 years. She later played at Under-21 level, before making her senior debut, aged 17, against the Netherlands
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
in September 2004. Her first senior goal came against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic women's national football team
The Czech Republic women's national football team are the official football women's team for the Czech Republic, they are currently ranked 26th in the world . At the moment, the captain of the team is Eva Šmeralová, who plays for Sparta Prague....
at Walsall
Bescot Stadium
Bescot Stadium, also known as the Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1989-90 by GMI Construction with a reported build cost of £4.5m...
in May 2005, and she added two more in the 13–0 away win against Hungary
Hungary women's national football team
The Hungary women's national football team represents Hungary in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation.-World Cup record:- European Championship record :*1984 : Did Not Enter*1987 : Did not qualify...
that October.
Aluko played in UEFA Women's Euro 2005, despite a clash with her A-Level
GCE Advanced Level
The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands...
studies. She sat a history exam on the morning of England's 2–1 defeat to Denmark
Denmark women's national football team
The Denmark women's national football team represents Denmark in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Danish Football Association .-World Cup:*1970 : Winner *1971 : Winner...
. In the final group game against Sweden
Sweden women's national football team
Sweden women's national football team are a football team officially representing Sweden in women's football. They won the unofficial European Championships in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, it has however won one World Cup-silver as well as three European Cup-silvers...
Aluko almost scored a bizarre equaliser, but was left disappointed as hosts England lost 1–0 and exited the competition.
At the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007
FIFA Women's World Cup 2007
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 was an international association football competition for women held in China from September 10, 2007 – September 30, 2007. Originally, China was to host the 2003 Women's World Cup, but the outbreak of SARS in that country forced that event to be moved to the United...
, Aluko featured in group games against Japan
Japan women's national football team
The Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko Japan , is a selection of the best female players in Japan and is run by the Japan Football Association . Japan defeated the U.S...
and Argentina
Argentina women's national football team
The Argentina women's national football team represents Argentina in international women's football. Since there is no professional league in Argentina, almost all its members are amateur players....
, as well as the 3–0 quarter-final defeat to the United States
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
. After the tournament she was critical of the FA and the level of financial support provided to England's top female players. Aluko featured much more prominently at UEFA Women's Euro 2009, scoring in the group match win over Russia
Russia women's national football team
The Russia women's national football team represents Russia in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Football Union of Russia and affiliated with UEFA...
and adding two more in the quarter-final victory over hosts Finland
Finland women's national football team
The Finland women's national football team represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland , reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark...
. She also provided an assist for Kelly Smith
Kelly Smith
Kelly Jayne Smith, MBE is an English football forward currently playing for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the England women's national football team.-Youth and university:...
's opening goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
. In the final Aluko played on the left-wing as England lost out 6–2 to Germany
Germany women's national football team
The German women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football and is directed by the German Football Association . The team – informally called West Germany in English – played its first international match in 1982...
in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
.
Aluko netted against Switzerland
Switzerland women's national football team
The Switzerland women's national football team represents Switzerland in international women's football.The team played its first match in 1972...
in September 2010 as England qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011
FIFA Women's World Cup 2011
The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup was the sixth FIFA Women's World Cup competition, the world championship for women's national association football teams. It was held from 26 June to 17 July 2011 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in October 2007...
. During the final tournament, Aluko responded angrily to public criticism of her performance in the 1–1 draw with Mexico
Mexico women's national football team
The Mexico women's national football team represents Mexico in international women's football competition and is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation. In the 1970s, the team gained popularity, with Mexico finishing 3rd in a unofficial Women's World Cup held in Italy...
, in which she wasted multiple goalscoring opportunities. She was substituted at half–time in the following group match against New Zealand, and dropped to the bench for the final group match with Japan
Japan women's national football team
The Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko Japan , is a selection of the best female players in Japan and is run by the Japan Football Association . Japan defeated the U.S...
, playing the last half an hour of England's 2–0 win. Aluko was an unused substitute as England were eliminated by France
France women's national football team
The French women's national football team represents France in international women's football. The team is directed by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA in various international football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro, the Summer...
at the quarter final stage.
International goals
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored 1 26 May 2005 Bescot Stadium Bescot StadiumBescot Stadium, also known as the Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1989-90 by GMI Construction with a reported build cost of £4.5m...
, WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
4–1 Friendly 1 3 27 October 2005 Tapolca TapolcaTapolca is a town in Veszprém county, Hungary, close to Lake Balaton. It is located at around .The town has a separate district approximately 5 km to the East called Tapolca-Diszel.- The Lake Cave :...
13–0 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. 2 4 8 March 2007 National Hockey Stadium National Hockey StadiumThe National Hockey Stadium was a sports stadium in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, with a nominal capacity of around 4,000 seats . It was used by England Hockey as their national stadium from 1995 to 2003 and as a professional football stadium from 2003 to 2007...
, Milton KeynesMilton KeynesMilton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
6–0 Friendly 1 5 27 October 2007 Bescot Stadium Bescot StadiumBescot Stadium, also known as the Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1989-90 by GMI Construction with a reported build cost of £4.5m...
, WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
4–0 2009 UEFA Championship Qual. 2009 UEFA Women's Championship qualificationQualifying for UEFA Women's Euro 2009 determined which 11 teams joined Finland, the hosts of the 2009 tournament, to play for the UEFA Women's Championship.-Preliminary round:20 teams were divided into 5 groups of 4...
1 6 10 March 2009 Larnaca LarnacaLarnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
3–0 Cyprus Cup Cyprus CupThe Cypriot Cup or Cyprus Coca Cola Cup is the main cup competition in Cypriot football, run by the Cyprus Football Association. It began in 1934, the same season with the Cypriot Championship. It is the second most important competition for Cypriot club teams. The sponsor of the competition is...
1 7 28 August 2009 Finnair Stadium Finnair StadiumSonera Stadium is a football stadium in Helsinki, Finland.The stadium was inaugurated in 2000. It has a capacity of 10,770 spectators...
, HelsinkiHelsinkiHelsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
3–2 2009 UEFA Championship 2009 UEFA Women's ChampionshipThe 2009 UEFA Women's Championship, or just Women's Euro 2009, was played in Finland between August 23 and September 10, 2009. The host was appointed on July 11, 2006, in a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Berlin and the Finnish proposal won over the Dutch proposal.The UEFA Women's Championship...
1 9 3 September 2009 Veritas Stadion Veritas StadionVeritas Stadion is a football stadium in Turku, Finland. It is situated in the district of Kupittaa, in an area dedicated to sporting venues...
, TurkuTurkuTurku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
3–2 2009 UEFA Championship 2009 UEFA Women's ChampionshipThe 2009 UEFA Women's Championship, or just Women's Euro 2009, was played in Finland between August 23 and September 10, 2009. The host was appointed on July 11, 2006, in a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Berlin and the Finnish proposal won over the Dutch proposal.The UEFA Women's Championship...
2 10 22 March 2010 Loftus Road Loftus RoadLoftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
3–0 2011 FIFA World Cup qual. 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualificationQualification for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup determines which 15 teams join , the hosts of the 2011 tournament, to play for the Women's World Cup. Europe has 5.5 qualifying berths , Asia 3 berths, North and Central America 2.5 berths, Africa 2 berths, South America 2 berths and Oceania 1 berth...
1 11 16 September 2010 Stadion Niedermatten, Wohlen 3–2 2011 FIFA World Cup Qual. 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification (UEFA)In the UEFA qualification for 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, 41 entrants were drawn into eight groups, from which the group winners advanced to a play-off round...
1
Personal life
While playing for England during Women's Euro 20052005 UEFA Women's Championship
The 2005 UEFA Women's Championship, also referred to as WOMEN'S EURO 2005 , was a football tournament for women held from 5 June to 19 June 2005 in Lancashire, England. The UEFA Women's Championship is a regular tournament involving European national teams from countries affiliated to UEFA, the...
, Aluko took her A levels at St Mary's College, Blackburn, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. She subsequently went to study Law at Brunel University
Brunel University
Brunel University is a public research university located in Uxbridge, London, United Kingdom. The university is named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel....
, where she graduated with a First class degree in 2008. In July 2009 it was announced that Aluko would spend the 2009-10 US off-season studying for the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
bar exam before taking a similar exam in England, her aim being to have an entertainment law practice in both England and the United States.
Her younger brother Sone
Sone Aluko
Omatsone "Sone" Aluko is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premier League club Rangers. Aluko began his career at Birmingham City but failed to make any league appearances. He joined Aberdeen on loan in the 2007–2008 season and was loaned to Blackpool at the...
plays for Glasgow Rangers and was an England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
youth international, but in May 2009 accepted a call-up to represent Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
. Her father is a former MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
in Nigeria, while Bolaji Aluko
Bolaji Aluko
Mobolaji E. Aluko is a professor of Chemical Engineering atHoward University, Washington, DC, and was Chair of its department from 1994-2002...
is her uncle.
As of November 2010, Eniola is an active contributor on Yin & Yang, a popular culture website.