Michelle Alozie featured in all Nigeria matches at the just concluded Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where the country’s run ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to England
Super Falcons defender, Michelle Alozie has revealed that English forward Lauren James did not contact her privately after the stomping incident, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 21-year-old James was sent off in the 87th minute of the Round-of-16 tie after stamping on Houston Dash defender Alozie before she was subsequently given a two-match ban.
The two football stars have since gone on social media to try to settle the difference following Nigeria’s 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to the Lionesses, with the Chelsea forward tweeting an apology message via her Twitter handle.
All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened.
Also, for our England fans and my team-mates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience. https://t.co/Vi4hBIewiS
— Lauren James (@laurenjamess22) August 8, 2023
However, Alozie has revealed that James is yet to contact her personally to apologize, contrary to speculations flying on the internet.
No, she did not reach out to me but the apology was on Twitter and Instagram, the American-based defender said in a video released on Channels Television Youtube
Following the incident, the Super Falcons star’s picture when the Chelsea forward stamped on her has become a meme on social media, and she called it “funny.”
I think it was kind of funny how it all came about. After the game, obviously, I was really upset and wasn’t really looking at my phone.
She continued: so some of my teammates were like “Michelle you have to see this photo of you maybe it would make you smile a little bit” because I was kind of upset.
The 26-year-old has since played for over an hour in her club Houston Dash 1-1 draw against Washington Spirit in the American NWSL on Sunday following Nigeria’s exit from the showpiece two weeks ago.
After her World Cup participation, Alozie will now shift her attention toward helping Nigeria secure a place at next year’s football event of the Olympics.
Lauren James got off easy with that social media stunt she pulled. She couldn’t find it in her to reach out privately to offer a word of apology. Such a shame that one so young is not wiser than her years.
I hoped she would do better.