Ashleigh Plumptre, the versatile defender for the Nigerian Super Falcons, has been ruled out of Randy Waldrum’s 18-woman squad for the Paris Olympics, following a foot injury sustained while playing for her club, Al-Nassr, MySportDab Reports.
Plumptre, who previously represented England at youth level before switching her allegiance to Nigeria, was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ World Cup and Olympic qualification campaigns.
The 25-year-old underwent surgery after her injury but has faced challenges in her recovery, ultimately leading to her exclusion from the Olympic roster.
Despite the operation being successful, Plumptre’s recovery did not progress quickly enough to meet the demands of Olympic competition.
Taking to Instagram, Plumptre conveyed her deep disappointment and the emotional toll of missing out on her Olympic dream. “Timings haven’t quite aligned to be in contention for the Olympic roster – a dream I’ve held since I can remember,” she wrote. Plumptre detailed her strenuous efforts to recover in time, highlighting the lessons learned about listening to her body’s limits.
While expressing regret over her absence, Plumptre also shared her unwavering support for her teammates. “While on a personal note it’s a shame to miss out, I cannot put into words my excitement and pride in knowing I’ll be watching my Nigeria Super Falcons girls representing this flag on the Olympic stage. Go well, girls! Naija to the world.”
The Super Falcons are set to begin their Olympic campaign against Brazil on July 25th, followed by matches against Spain on July 28th and Japan on August 1st. Plumptre’s absence is a significant loss for the team, but her spirits remain high as she cheers them on from the sidelines.
