Why Courtney Dike rejected $7,000 after playing for Nigeria’s Super Falcons

Nigerian-American soccer player Courtney Dike once rejected a $7,000 bonus after representing Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Dike, who was born in Oklahoma to Nigerian parents Vincent and Jacinta Dike, cited NCAA regulations as the reason behind her decision, stating that accepting prize money would violate the rules governing collegiate athletes in the US.

In a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation, Dike expressed her commitment to playing for Nigeria, regardless of financial incentives. “I am delighted to play for Nigeria whenever called upon. I knew before leaving for the U-20 World Cup that I would not accept any bonuses,” she wrote.

Dike’s performance on the pitch was equally impressive, scoring the fastest goal in FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup history just 14 seconds into Nigeria’s match against Korea Republic.

A talented and accomplished player, Dike comes from a distinguished soccer family.

Her brother, Bright Dike, and cousin, Emmanuel Emenike, both played for Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, the Super Eagles.

Dike’s impressive soccer career includes:

– Scoring over 90 goals at Edmond North High School
– Becoming one of only seven players in Oklahoma State University (OSU) history to earn all-conference status at least three times
– Graduating in 2017 with a master’s degree in accounting from OSU
– Earning two caps for Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada
– Making history as the first native Oklahoman to ever play in a World Cup match

Now 29 years old, Dike has transitioned from soccer to accounting, becoming a certified public accountant and currently residing in Los Angeles.

Dike’s club career

Her journey began at Oklahoma State University (OSU), where she played college soccer from 2012 to 2016.

During her time at OSU, Dike became one of the most decorated players in school history, earning numerous accolades and recognition for her outstanding performances.

Dike’s achievements at OSU include three All-Conference honors and two NSCAA All-Region team selections.

Her impressive collegiate career was marked by her exceptional goal-scoring ability, speed, and agility on the field.

Her success at OSU laid the foundation for her future endeavors in professional soccer.

In the summer of 2016, Dike played for Oklahoma City FC in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).

This experience further honed her skills and prepared her for the next level of competition.

Although her time with Oklahoma City FC was brief, it marked an important milestone in her transition to professional soccer.

After graduating from OSU in 2017, Dike went unattached, focusing on her international career with Nigeria.

This decision allowed her to concentrate on representing her country and gaining valuable experience on the global stage.

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