Ashleigh Plumptre: UK-Born Defender Shares Emotional Reason She Decided To Play for Nigeria, Video
- Ashleigh Plumptre switched allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2021 after connecting with her heritage
- The EK-born star claimed her younger sister inspired her to explore their Nigerian roots and represent the Super Falcons
- Plumptre starred in Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title win, becoming a fan favourite for her passion and defensive skill
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Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has opened up about the heartfelt reason she chose to represent Nigeria instead of continuing her football career with England.
The UK-born star, who has now become a fan favourite for the Super Falcons, played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title win in Morocco.
Source: Twitter
Her journey to the Nigerian national team highlights not just her footballing decision but also a personal connection to her heritage and culture.
Plumptre’s history with England
Plumptre, born in Leicester, United Kingdom, previously represented England at youth level, earning more than 25 caps and playing for the country’s U17s, U19s, and U23s.
While she enjoyed her time in England’s setup, she always felt a pull to explore her Nigerian roots.
In 2021, the defender made the life-changing decision to switch her international allegiance to Nigeria. FIFA approved the move after confirming she was eligible through her paternal grandfather.
Her first involvement with the Super Falcons came during an eight-day training camp in Austria, as the team prepared for the Aisha Buhari Cup.
Plumptre speaks on decision to play for Nigeria
Speaking to TVC News about her decision, Plumptre shared that her younger sister inspired her to connect with her Nigerian heritage.
Source: Getty Images
She explained that the choice to play for Nigeria went beyond football; it was about discovering her identity and representing mixed-race individuals who navigate two cultures.
"I enjoyed the very valuable time playing with England in the youth age groups, but what pushed me to play for Nigeria was asking myself the question: what do I want to do with football?" she said.
"When I spent more time with my sister, she spoke about wanting to know about our heritage. So it was more of a journey for me to learn about our culture based on her provoking that in me because of her interest. And what representing Nigeria means to me is beyond words."
Plumptre becomes fan favourite
Since her debut, Plumptre has quickly established herself as one of Nigeria’s most reliable defenders.
Her strong performances were instrumental as the Super Falcons sailed a tough 2024 WAFCON campaign in Morocco, ending in a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the hosts in the final.
The victory ensured Plumptre won her first major title with the Super Falcons after four years.
Plumptre recounts poor treatment in Morocco
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Plumptre has revealed the challenging conditions the Nigerian women’s national team faced during the 2024 WAFCON campaign in Morocco.
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Despite winning their record-extending 10th WAFCON title with an entertaining 3-2 comeback victory against the host nation, Plumptre disclosed that the players endured poor accommodation and a lack of basic facilities, which left many of them physically drained.
Source: Legit.ng
