By Femi Fabunmi
Super Falcons and Al Ittihad defender Ashleigh Plumptre has publicly addressed her continued exclusion from the Nigerian national women’s football team, alleging that corruption within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is a key factor behind her absence.
In a candid post on her official Facebook page, Plumptre revealed that her refusal to yield to certain questionable demands has led to her being sidelined from national team activities.
“I’ve been inundated with questions about my exclusion from the Super Falcons squad, and I’ll address this in my next post. However, I must express my disappointment with the level of corruption within the NFF,” she stated.
Her comments came shortly after the Super Falcons secured a 2-0 victory over the Lionesses of Cameroon in a friendly match played on Tuesday night in Abeokuta, as part of preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Notably absent from the squad was Plumptre, whose omission has stirred discussions among fans and stakeholders.
The England-born defender, who previously represented England at youth levels and was once invited to the senior team, said she made a conscious decision to play for Nigeria in honour of her heritage.
“Contrary to what many believe, I played for England U21 and even received a senior team invite. But I chose to trace my African roots and represent Nigeria.
I used to wear the Super Falcons jersey with pride, but now… I think it’s time to make a tough decision,” she wrote.
Plumptre, who played a key role in Nigeria’s campaign at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hinted that she is considering withdrawing from the national team altogether, citing frustration and disillusionment with internal issues.
While the NFF has yet to respond officially to her claims, Plumptre’s revelations are likely to spark fresh debates around transparency, ethics, and the treatment of players within Nigerian football.
