Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has stated that she cannot wait to come back on the pitch and represent Nigeria when she recovers from injury.
The 26-year-old got injured last month, which made her miss Nigeria’s final Paris Olympics qualifiers against Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
In her absence, the Super Falcons defeated Banyana Banyana 1-0 in Abuja and then held the South Africans to a goalless draw in Pretoria to seal a spot at the Olympics.
It will be the Falcons first appearance at the tournament since 2008, and Plumptre is targeting a return to the team ahead of the Olympics in the summer.
Plumptre had a successful surgery and took to her social media account on Instagram to thank her doctors, club, her Falcons teammates, and Nigeria fans.
Successful surgery and comeback hopes for Plumptre
Via her Instagram and X, she said: “Thank you to everyone at Ittihad Ladies Club and to Dr. Pieter D’Hooge at Aspetar Sports Medicine Hospital for supporting me through my first surgery.
“It has been a long time coming trying to get answers but I’m so grateful to now be at this stage.
“To my Super Falcons teammates and Nigerian fans, thank you for your patience and understanding when I’ve not been able to be with you. I can honestly say I have fought as hard and for long as I can with this pain.
“I can’t wait to be back healthy alongside you all again.”
She also thanked her club side Ittihad Ladies Club for supporting her during and after the surgery. “I am so grateful to be surrounded by some really great humans at this club,” she said.
“Thank you, all of you, for helping me through and supporting me every step of the way.”
Ashleigh Plumptre was part of the Super Falcons team at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup where they reached the Round of 16.
She was also part of the Falcons’ quest for a place at the Olympics before a recurring injury put paid to that as the team prepared to face South Africa.
Ashleigh Plumptre's Nigerian adventure
The former Leicester City player is a third-generation Nigerian who qualified to play for the Falcons through her grandfather who is from Lagos.
She had been previously capped for England at U-15, U-17, and U-23 levels before switching allegiance to Nigeria. Her debut came in 2022 after receiving international clearance and a Nigerian passport.
Plumptre has been capped 22 times for the Super Falcons. If she recovers on time, she will definitely be a welcome addition to the squad as they return to the Olympics – their first in 16 years.
