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Meet Courtney Dike; The Player Who Rejected $7,000 Bonus After Representing Nigeria
Courtney Ozioma Dike made headlines in 2014 when she rejected a $7,000 bonus after representing Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Womenโs World Cup.
The Oklahoma-born forward, who played college soccer at Oklahoma State University, cited NCAA regulations as the reason behind her decision, stating that accepting prize money would violate the rules governing collegiate athletes in the U.S.
In a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Courtney expressed her commitment to playing for Nigeria, regardless of financial incentives.
โI 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,โ Dike wrote.
She further explained that โknowing this beforehand, I still chose to represent the country because I believed the experience would be more valuable than the money, and I was right.โ
Courtneyโs performance on the pitch was as remarkable as her off-field principles.
Courtney made headlines at the tournament by scoring the fastest goal in FIFA U-20 Womenโs World Cup historyโjust 14 seconds into Nigeriaโs match against Korea Republic
Born in Edmond, Oklahoma, to Nigerian parents Vincent and Jacinta Dike, Courtney grew up excelling in both academics and football.
Born on February 3, 1995, Dike is part of a distinguished soccer family.
Her brother, Bright Dike, and cousin, Emmanuel Emenike, both played for Nigeriaโs senior menโs national team, the Super Eagles.
At Edmond North High School, she scored over 90 goals and later became one of only seven players in Oklahoma State University (OSU) history to earn all-conference status at least three times.
Dike capped her collegiate career with numerous accolades and graduated in 2017 with a masterโs degree in accounting.
In 2015, Dike continued to make waves on the international stage, earning two caps for Nigeria at the FIFA Womenโs World Cup in Canada.
Her brief but impactful international career includes representing Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA Womenโs World Cup, where she made history as the first native Oklahoman to ever play in a World Cup match.
Now 29 years old, Courtney Dike has transitioned from the soccer field to the accounting field.
A certified public accountant, she currently resides in Los Angeles, where she continues to contribute to her community in new ways.
Despite her many achievements, Courtney Dike remains grounded, valuing her experiences over financial gain and setting a powerful example for future generations.
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