The Nigerian Women Football Team over the decades has witnessed the emergence of iconic figures who have left their indelible marks in the history of the nation.
The likes of Perpetua Nkwocha, Mercy Akide, Onome Ebi, Desire Oparanozie, Asisat Oshoala amongst others.
While, it gives Nigerian a huge sense of pride to have these ladies adorn the green white green jersey of its national team, the black race also shares in their impressive journey, one which has seen them inspire thousands of girls across the globe to reach for the stars.
More amazing is the emergence of Ashleigh Plumptre, the former England Youth International, who chose to re-write the narrative by doing the unusual.
While many players in her position would have opted to play for the England National Team, Ashleigh Plumptre, chose the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
Plumptre was born in Leicester, England on May 8, 1998, to English parents but her Nigerian roots can be traced to her grandfather, a Yoruba man. Plumptre has played for England’s U-15, U-17, U-19, and U-23 teams but she publicly declared her interest in playing for Nigeria in 2021.
The Leicester City player, started for Nigeria for the first time on Friday, February 18, against the Côte d’Ivoire women’s national team at the MKO Stadium in Abuja.
Her performance was solid and she largely contributed to the clean sheet that allows the Falcons to take a two-goal lead to Côte d’Ivoire next week for the second leg.
Her decision to embrace Nigeria speaks a thousand message to many other Nigerians in the diaspora, it is an inspiration to the coming generation of young ladies who seeks inspiration to make audacious moves like that.
More amazing is the value which she has given the women’s team, one which has continued to excel with her addition.
The Super Falcons takes on the world at the next FIFA world cup in Australia and New Zealand this year, and the world can’t wait to see the Super Falcons represent the African Continent on the global stage.
With the likes of Ashleigh Plumptre, Asisat Oshoala, and other amazing players, the Super Falcons will no doubt dazzle the World again.
The former England youth international was a pivotal part of the team to the 2022 WAFCON side that finsihed fourth.
Plumptre was largely tested at the WAFCON competition in Morocco where she had to play all but one of the games as a left-back, a position she had never played before but was glad to have the freedom.
The centre-back given her versatility and experience will offer the team the solidity it requires to put up a beautiful performance at the world cup.
