November 28, (THEWILL) – The interim coach of the Super Falcons, Justin Madugu, has addressed the ongoing exclusion of defensive star Ashleigh Plumptre from recent squad selections. Despite her standout performances this season with her Saudi Arabian club, the 25-year-old has been left out of Nigeria’s last two Olympic qualification matches.
Madugu clarified that recurrent injury issues are behind the surprising omissions. “Ashleigh has been having a lot of injuries. She has been picking some knocks, and she has not fully recovered,” he remarked.
Concerns over her fitness prompted calls for Plumptre to undergo rehabilitation and recover full match sharpness before returning to the international fold. Madugu affirmed Plumptre remains firmly in his plans, stating “When she fully recovers, certainly we know what Ashleigh can bring to bear, [and] she will be part of the team going forward.”
Madugu’s comments will hearten supporters eager to see the talented left-back anchor Nigeria’s defence. Plumptre, was among the standout performers when the Super Falcons contested the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria is poised to continue its Olympic qualification bid with upcoming fixtures against Cape Verde. Plumptre will target reclaiming her starting spot ahead of Nigeria booking its place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her defensive qualities and eye for goal will prove invaluable additions to the Super Falcons’ talent-rich squad.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
