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Ashleigh Plumptre featured in all four of the Super Falcons games during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.
Super Falcons full-back, Ashleigh Plumptre has cleared the air on her absence from the Nigerian team, citing her fitness as her major reason, Soccernet.ng reports.
Plumptre, 25, joined Saudi Arabian side, Al-Ittihad after her contract with Leicester City expired in the summer, but since then hasn't donned the Nigerian jersey.
Eyebrows were raised after the defender scored a hat trick on her debut for Al-Ittihad, but still didn't make the team cut during the International break, but she has come out to say it was her personal decision to not be included in the team.
“Yeah, I guess it has been a break. I haven’t been able to go to the camp, like I said, it’s more of a personal decision while I take care of my body. Ultimately, I want to be with the team. It’s a privilege, and I want to be in the best physical condition to be able to go and compete in important games,” the former Leicester defender told Nigeria Football.
She admitted she has been using the time off to work on herself so she can perform optimally for the Super Falcons, adding that she's still a big supporter of the team.
“Right now, I have complete trust and faith in the team. I’ll be watching the game while I’m here, but, I want to get to a point where I can compete maximally and provide as much as I can to the team in the best condition. So, yeah, I expect to be, I don’t know when, but hopefully as soon as possible,” she added.
The Super Falcons will be without their first choice left-back as they face Cape Verde tomorrow evening.
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