Nigeria's Ashleigh Plumptre has been out of the Super Falcons team since June and will miss the crucial clash against Cape Verde.
Interim manager of the Nigeria women’s national team Super Falcons, Justin Madugu has provided an update on the absence of star defender Ashleigh Plumptre from the team.
Plumptre has not featured for the Super Falcons since her switch to the Saudi Arabian league from England.
23:34 - 27.11.2023
Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala reveals her most played artistes and songs for 2023
Nigerian striker Asisat Oshola shares her top artistes and most played songs of the year.
13:43 - 27.11.2023
Alozie, Ajibade, Plumptre missing as CAF announce Women’s Player of the year final shortlist
Both Morocco and South Africa had more nominees in the CAF Women's Player of the Year than Nigeria's Super Falcons
Ashleigh Plumptre and Nigeria
The talented defender has been a mainstay of the Super Falcons since she made her international debut last year.
Plumptre went on to play a pivotal role as the Super Falcons booked a ticket to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
But before the FIFAWWC, she was part of the Falcons team that failed to win the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, in Morocco.
However, Plumptre turned out to be a standout performer as Nigeria defied the odds to make an impact at the FIFAWWC co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Super Falcons' Absence Explained
But since that outing in Australia, the 25-year-old seems to have disappeared from the Super Falcons.
The latest concerns came after the NFF made public the list of 23 players for the decisive WAFCON qualifier against Cape Verde in Abuja.
Interim manager, Madugu, has come out to clear the air on Plumptre’s disappearance, stating that injuries and the need for rest are some of the factors behind her absence from the team.
“Ashleigh has been having a lot of injuries,” the coach said in a video posted on Instagram.
“She has been picking some knocks and has not fully recovered - that is the truth about it.”
Magudu added that Ashleigh also needed a break from the Falcons to fully recover.
“She needed some rest and a break from the national team engagement so that she can recover fully,” he added.
“But she is still part of the team. When she is fully recovered, certainly we know what Ashleigh can bring - she will be part of the team going forward.”
Meanwhile, despite not playing for the Super Falcons, the defender has enjoyed a fine start to life at her Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ittihad.
She has won the Player of the Month and Best Goal of the Month for her blistering start which saw her score a hat-trick as reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria.
Related content
13:43 - 27.11.2023
Alozie, Ajibade, Plumptre missing as CAF announce Women’s Player of the year final shortlist
Both Morocco and South Africa had more nominees in the CAF Women's Player of the Year than Nigeria's Super Falcons
13:22 - 27.11.2023
Waldrum, Nnadozie, Oshoala bag nominations as Super Falcons dominate CAF awards final shortlists
After an impressive showing at the 2023 Women's World Cup players from Nigeria's Super Falcons have unsurprisingly dominated the final shortlist for the upcoming CAF awards
23:30 - 22.11.2023
UWCL: Oshoala unused in consecutive games as Barcelona come from behind to beat Frankfurt
Barcelona completed a comeback to beat Frankfurt in their first Champions League away game of the season.
15:54 - 20.11.2023
WAFCON 2024: Alozie missing as Oshoala, Nnadozie and 21 others get Super Falcons call
A squad of 23 players led by Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie will lead Nigeria to the final round of the WAFCON with Michelle Alozie missing.
14:55 - 03.11.2023
Super Falcons set for showdown with Cameroon in Olympics qualifier
Nigeria will play Cameroon in the fourth round of the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers hoping to play at the summer games for the first time since 2008
16:18 - 01.11.2023
Michelle Alozie: Super Falcons' star declares love for Keke Napep and wants to buy
Nigeria Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie says Keke Napep is fun and she wants to own one of them.
08:46 - 01.11.2023
Chiamaka Nnadozie: Super Falcons' goalkeeper celebrates clean sheet in Paris 2024 qualifier, hails Nigerians
Chiamaka Nnadozie helped the Nigeria Super Falcons overcome a stubborn Ethiopian team in Abuja in the Paris 2024 qualifiers.
23:40 - 31.10.2023
Bring back Waldrum — Fans cry despite Super Falcons dominant win
Fans of the Super Falcons of Nigeria plead with the NFF to reinstate coach Randy Waldrum.
18:18 - 31.10.2023
Super Falcons survive poor pitch conditions to hammer Ethiopia in crucial Olympic qualifier
Nigeria secured a comfortable victory over Ethiopia in the second leg of their 2024 Olympic qualifier to move to next stage of the tournament
22:07 - 30.10.2023
Ballon d’Or: Super Falcons ace Oshoala finishes outside the top 15 despite Champions League win
Super Falcons of Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala finishes in a modest position in the Ballon d'Or rankings despite her exceptional season with Barcelona.
14:23 - 25.10.2023
'Na these girls go world cup?' - Nigerians react to Super Falcons performance against Ethiopia
Nigeria Super Falcons are behind at half time to Ethiopia in the Olympic qualifier first leg.
08:56 - 27.11.2023
‘Let it rain’- Desire Oparanozie tells Nigerians to go all out for Asisat Oshoala
Desire Oparanozie appears to have put the rumoured beef with her former Super Falcons teammate Asisat Oshoala behind her.