Ashleigh Plumptre Recalls Super Falcons’ Reactions During Her First Nigeria Camp
Al-Ittihad defender Ashleigh Plumptre has reflected on the warm reception she received from her Super Falcons teammates when she joined Nigeria’s women’s national team for the first time.
The 27-year-old, who previously made over 25 appearances for England at youth level, was initially tied to the English national setup before switching her international allegiance.
Following FIFA’s approval of her request to represent Nigeria—a decision made a few years ago—Plumptre has since become a regular presence in the squad and spoken fondly of her early experiences with the team.
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Plumptre Recalls Teammates’ Reactions During First Super Falcons Training Camp
Ashleigh Plumptre has shared candid details about her first training session with the Super Falcons and how her teammates reacted to her presence in the squad.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially brought Plumptre into the fold in 2021 after confirming her eligibility to represent Nigeria through her paternal grandfather.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lagos Talks 91.3 FM, the former Leicester City defender recounted her early days with the team, highlighting a memorable moment from her debut session.
“I remember my first training—there was a challenge for a header against a player named Desire,” she said. “No one really knew what to expect from me at the time. I think it was all quite new for them.”
She also shared that her Nigerian heritage initially raised eyebrows among her teammates.
“They’d ask, ‘How are you even Nigerian?’” she recalled. “Usually when that happens, I just show them a picture of my dad. Once they see him, it all makes sense.”
Plumptre has since become an integral part of the national team, earning praise for both her commitment and performances on the pitch.