Nigeria’s accomplished women’s footballer, Ashleigh Plumptre, has set her sights on the grand stage of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, MySportDab Reports.
The 25-year-old defender, who made a discreet move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, is eager to make her mark in the upcoming Olympic spectacle.
Plumptre’s journey to Saudi Arabia unfolded seamlessly as she had inked a deal with Al-Ittihad even before the World Cup commenced.
Despite receiving offers from renowned clubs in Europe and America, the England-born Nigerian kept her transfer under wraps to maintain focus during the global competition.
Her versatility in defense played a pivotal role in the Super Falcons securing three clean sheets in the World Cup, although the team bowed out in the round-of-sixteen.
Since her relocation to Saudi Arabia, Plumptre has been absent from the national team lineup. However, in a recent interview with Arab news, she shared her dream of representing Nigeria in the Paris 2024 Olympics, expressing that it would be the pinnacle of her illustrious career.
It makes me smile just thinking about the Olympics. I love helping people, and the only thing I was interested in at school was human biology. My dream when I was younger was to be a doctor on an Olympic team because I love the Olympics, Plumptre remarked.
Reflecting on her World Cup experience, she described it as a crazy experience that she will cherish for a lifetime. Her dedication to the sport and the desire to contribute to the national team’s success highlight her commitment to football.
As the countdown to the Paris Olympics begins, Nigeria faces a challenging task in the form of a two-legged contest against Cameroon scheduled for February. Plumptre’s return to the national team would be eagerly awaited by fans who have been patiently anticipating her presence in the green-white-green jersey post-World Cup.
Plumptre’s aspirations for the Olympics align seamlessly with her passion for the sport and her eagerness to contribute to Nigeria’s football legacy.
The upcoming months are poised to be crucial for both her and the national team as they navigate the qualification process, striving to secure a coveted spot in the 2024 Olympics. As the football world watches with bated breath, Ashleigh Plumptre’s journey promises to be a captivating chapter in the ongoing narrative of women’s football.
