Ex-Chelsea forward weighs in on why Super Eagles are treated better than the Super Falcons

Former Chelsea and Juventus Women’s forward Eniola Aluko has weighed in on the discrepancy in treatment between the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons, Afrik Foot reports.

The 39-year-old was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but grew up in England. Her elder brother, Sone Aluko, played for the Super Eagles.

The Super Falcons have been crowned African Champions 10 times, the most of any team on the continent, even in men’s football.

Super Falcons not as valued as Super Eagles – Eni Aluko

Aluko played over a century of games for England’s Lionesses, but has now revealed she’d take that choice back if it were today.

Pressing into the difference in treatment between the Super Falcons and Super Eagles, the ex-Chelsea attacker revealed there are still a chunk of people who don’t value Women’s football.

“I think to be honest, this is a problem for women’s football all around the world,” Eni Aluko said in an interview with Punch.

“It sometimes is a secondary thought because the men’s team takes so much attention. But I am a firm believer that women’s football should have its own economy and ecosystem.

“And the only way to do that is through private investment, through sponsorship. If you have a sponsor like Nike, Nike may say, “Well, to sponsor the team, these are the requirements that we need. We need to make sure that the players are paid on time, etc.”

“Then there may be specific things that come from having standardised levels that help the women’s team. But I think it all comes from creating an economy that’s separate to the men’s team,” the ex-Birmingham attacker concluded.

The most recent uproar about the ill-treatment of women’s football in Africa came after CAF postponed the AFCON 2026 tournament.