Can Plumptre Reclaim Her Starting 11 Slot?
Super Fan-favourite Ashleigh Plumptre, who is convalescing from a successful surgery, is already looking forward to returning to action for club and country.
On Twitter, the former Leicester City centre back said: “I can’t wait to be back healthy with my Super Falcons colleagues and fans.”
When Ashleigh pulled out of some Super Falcons assignments between October and December last year against Ethiopia and Cape Verde, many cried wolf! It was rumoured in some corners that she was feigning injury and that she just chose to cherry-pick the games she plays for Nigeria (as Ethiopia and Cape Verde weren’t meaty opponents).
Ashleigh turning up for the titanic and successful Olympic qualifiers against Cameroon in February this year only served to fuel this fire of this rumour. However, it is now clear that 2020-21 FA Women’s Championship League Winner was truly honest when she said she was managing her body by pulling out of some assignments.
For those of us itching to see Plumptre in the Starting 11 for Nigeria in the Summer Olympics, this might prove tricky. Firstly, she has to be fully recovered and fit for the tournament in less than 3 months’ time.
Secondly in her absence, the team hasn’t performed that badly.
In 4 games against lowly Ethiopia and Cape Verde under interim coach Justin Madugu, the Super Falcons conceded only 2 goals. However, with master defensive tactician Waldrum back in the hot seat, Nigeria kept impressive 2 clean sheets against a far more formidable South Africa (sidenote: those clamouring for indigenous coaches should bear this little detail in mind).
Anyway, without Plumptre, the Super Falcons kept it very tight at the back with another returnee fan favourite Chidinma Okeke proving to be a revelation.
The 23 year old former Robo Queens defender delivered a stellar performance against South Africa in Plumtpre’s right back position. She is a force in both the defensive and offensive aspects of the role.
So, when Plumptre returns, where will she fit?
This is a conundrum Waldrum will have to grapple with. To be honest, the Super Falcons are arguably one of the best teams in world women’s football at the moment. If Asisat Oshoala is struggling to make the starting 11 of this team, that speaks volumes.
On another life, the likes of Toni Payne, Rinsola Babajide and Gift Monday will be surefire starting 11 players. But, such is the quality of players available that a lot of exceptional players have to make do with substitute appearances.
I think this will also apply to Plumptre.
I wish her speedy recovery and hope she will be back soon to also jostle for her place in a crowd of sumptuous players hoping to take the Olympics by storm in the summer.