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CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Ashleigh Plumptre: The Super Falcons' Rock Driven by Heritage and Heart
Ashleigh Plumptre has emerged as one of the standout defenders of the TotalEnergies 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, earning her spot in the Team of the Group Stage. Known for her calm leadership and timely interceptions, the Al-Ittihad captain is proving crucial in Nigeria's pursuit of a record-extending 10th continental crown. 'My biggest growth as a player has come from my growth as a person. I don't feel like I have to prove myself anymore. I just want to be present for the team and give my all,' Plumptre told 'I have full trust in the team and what we're capable of. I've felt such an emotional connection with this squad and to be able to share these moments with them is something that I will forever be grateful for.' Background and Rise to Prominence Born in Leicester, England, Plumptre, began her football journey in England's youth setup, representing the country at U-15, U-17, U-19, and U-23 levels. Her club career saw her feature for Notts County, LA Galaxy OC, and Leicester City, where she helped them win the FA Women's Championship in the 2020/21 season. Ahead of WAFCON 2022, Plumptre made a pivotal decision to represent Nigeria, her paternal heritage, over continuing with England. It was a bold, heartfelt choice rooted in family and identity. Since then, the 27-year-old has become a key part of the Super Falcons, anchoring the defense and stepping up as one of the leaders on and off the pitch. Now the captain of Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Plumptre has also demonstrated an eye for goal, notably during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Round of 16 clash with England and throughout her ongoing stint in the Saudi league. On Commitment to Country and Mental Fortitude Despite the twists and turns in her footballing journey from England's youth system to becoming a mainstay in Nigeria's defense, Plumptre has remained grounded and fiercely proud of her heritage. Her personal compass, she says, is built on values far deeper than the game. 'Playing for Nigeria means everything to me. I've always been proud of my roots and being able to represent that on the field is something I carry with a lot of honor,' she said. 'I've faced injuries, moments of doubt, and changes in environment, but I've always leaned on my values — being kind, working hard, and staying grounded. That's what keeps me going.' On Motivation and Long-Term Dreams For Plumptre, success isn't just measured in caps or clean sheets, it's also about leaving a legacy. The fullback has her eyes on a bigger goal beyond her playing days, determined to impact future generations, particularly in Africa. 'Football is part of who I am, but what motivates me is knowing that I can inspire others — especially young girls who look like me or come from similar backgrounds,' Ashleigh added. 'I've also started working toward my UEFA coaching license. I want to remain in the game, pass on what I've learned, and help shape the next generation — especially in Nigeria. That's something I'm very passionate about.' Father's Pride: Tim Plumptre on Ashleigh's Journey Ashleigh's father and agent, Tim Plumptre, offered heartfelt insight into his daughter's inspiring return to top-level football. 'Super happy because it's only been 15 months since her foot surgery and I wasn't entirely sure how her body would react and recover,' he shared. 'She worked so hard in her rehabilitation and was desperate to represent Nigeria in last year's Olympic Games, but she couldn't recover in time. That was so disappointing for her because it was always her childhood dream to play in an Olympics. 'But being able to be fully fit for the WAFCON is fantastic, and she is going to do everything in her power to win this competition for Nigeria. I never have any doubts in her performances as I know her capabilities, they are always at the top. She has worked so hard for so long, and this is her way of life. It's amazing that she's been recognised for her performances in this competition.' As her father and agent, Tim also acknowledged the bravery and sacrifice in Ashleigh's decision to switch her national allegiance from England to Nigeria. 'Incredibly proud, as she's had to put a lot of pressure upon herself when she could've taken an easier path by remaining within the England setup,' he exclusively told from his based in Leicester. 'Statistics bear out the minutes she played representing Nigeria, and she's earned this right through sheer hard work and determination, as there are so many talented players on the squad.' For Tim, Ashleigh's connection to Nigeria is not only career-defining, it's personal and intentional. 'It was absolutely vital for me to consciously raise Ashleigh with an understanding of her heritage. I took her to spend time with her grandfather, Harry Dotun Plumptre (RIP), and as many of her extended Nigerian family as possible. As a little girl, I made it a point to take her to New York, California, and London to visit her uncles, aunties, and cousins. 'This exposure was essential, as she wouldn't encounter many Nigerians in her day-to-day life. I wanted to ensure that she knew about Nigeria and her Nigerian family, and she has always been proud to embrace this aspect of her identity. 'Even at school, Ashleigh followed the women's U-17, U-19, and senior women's Super Falcons. Family means everything to Ashleigh, and that is why she treats her teammates as an extended family. This connection is evident both on and off the pitch, especially in the way she interacts with her Nigerian teammates when they score. She truly loves this team.' Madugu Recounts Plumptre's Consistency and Impact Super Falcons assistant coach Justin Madugu was full of praise for Ashleigh Plumptre following her inclusion in the WAFCON 2024 Team of the Group Stage. 'She [Ashleigh Plumptre] really deserves to be in the team of the group stage because we did marvelously well in both games that she featured. She was very outstanding defensively and offensively. 'The performance is there for everyone to see. She really did very well and I quite appreciate her performance and being part of the team for the group stage.' Madugu, who has closely observed Plumptre's steady rise since joining the Nigerian setup, stressed her growing influence in the squad. 'With every game, she keeps improving and generally as a team, our expectation is that we want to do well. We want to win. That is what we are here for and will be going for. 'Of course, she is very important to the team. She is an important member of the team. Looking at the role she played in both games she played, she really brought a lot to the team. 'She was quite outstanding. We expect that she will maintain such performance, standard, and even probably do better than what she did in both games.' As the nine-time African champions' Mission X intensifies, Plumptre is poised to be a defining figure in the West Africans' knockout campaign, blending heart, heritage, and high-level consistency to anchor their quest for a historic 10th WAFCON title.
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland Women dealt injury blow as midfield star pulls out ahead of key double-header
The midfielder has picked up a hamstring injury that has ruled her out for the clashes at home to Poland and away to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nottingham Forest Women defender Nat Johnson has been called up to replace the 26-year-old Scofield, who has been a regular in Oxtoby's starting line-up since switching allegiance and making her debut for Northern Ireland in 2024. The London-born midfielder has just completed a loan spell at Sheffield United Women in the FA Women's Championship from London City Lionesses, while she also previously plied her trade for Leicester City Women in the Women's Super League. Scofield's withdrawal is unwelcome news for Oxtoby with Northern Ireland facing Poland at Seaview on Friday, May 30 (7.00pm) before travelling to Zenica to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, June 3 (6.00pm BST) in two crucial Nations League B, Group 1 encounters. With Northern Ireland sitting second in the group with seven points from four games as they stare into the final two games of the League, the first clash sees them lock horns with unbeaten League leaders Poland, who have 10 points, before tackling the third-placed Bosnians who are perched on four points. Their current position would be good enough for a Promotion Play-Off to get into League A, however failing to beat Poland would rule out their chances of automatic promotion courtesy of their inferior head-to-head record. Similarly, they are at risk of falling into a Relegation Play-Off. Bettering third-placed Bosnia's result against winless Romania on Matchday Five would eliminate that possibility and confirm Northern Ireland's League B survival, however any other outcome would ensure their fate goes right down to the final day.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Blackburn Rovers pull out of Women's Championship due to league demands
Image Source: Getty Blackburn Rovers have confirmed their withdrawal from the FA Women's Championship due to being unable to fund their squad as a professional side. The club is now in discussions with the FA Women's National League board regarding the level of the women's football pyramid that the team will be operating in next season, with a decision to be confirmed in due course over the coming weeks. Financial challenges and league requirements The move comes after the recent rebranding of the Women's Championship, which, from next season, will require its clubs to run fully professional sides with increased support and facilities in order to protect player welfare and the integrity of competition. The increased demands on clubs are taking a huge toll financially, especially on smaller clubs. While the effort to save the club is in vain, league officials and other interested parties did what they could to help out Blackburn, who blamed unviable financial pressure for the situation, including ballooning wage bills and reliance on matchday revenue. Rovers cited further problems of stagnant home crowds, despite playing their matches at Ewood Park. There have been some grim reports of the club's financial shortcomings, with players on part-time contracts just being paid the minimum wage, which has brought public criticism from former players and leading figures in the sport. Players were also notified of the withdrawal via WhatsApp, underscoring communication problems in the club. Also Read: FA Cup: Tottenham Hotspur suffer two cup exits in a week after fourth-round defeat to Aston Villa Impact on players and future prospects The withdrawal has left players, coaches, and staff in limbo. Defender Niamh Murphy expressed her frustration on social media, revealing that management had issued a seven-day deadline for securing funding and criticizing the ongoing lack of financial support from the club. The team, which is coming off a 10th-place finish in the division despite having one of the smaller budgets, has a proud tradition of developing talents such as Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, and Keira Walsh. The club's exit from the Championship has come in the wake of a similar announcement from Reading FC Women last year, which also cited financial pressures and an inability to comply with regulations. Such changes highlight the wider pressure point on women's football clubs to remain financially viable with higher professionalisation requirements. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
London City Lionesses promoted to WSL after epic 2-2 draw with Birmingham
((Reuters)) -London City Lionesses held on for a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Birmingham City that saw them top the FA Women's Championship and win promotion to the Women's Super League, despite throwing away a two-goal lead late in the final game of the season. With only the winners promoted, the Lionesses finished the season with 43 points, two ahead of Birmingham, and they will replace already-relegated Crystal Palace in the WSL next term. Relegated in 2022 after a 20-year stint in the top flight, second-placed Birmingham City came into the game knowing they needed to win to secure promotion, and they had a couple of decent chances in a thrilling but scoreless first half. Izzy Goodwin made them rue those missed opportunities in the 47th minute, cutting in from the left and riding a couple of tackles before firing a rocket into the top-left corner to give her side the lead with her 16th goal of the season. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah made Birmingham's task all the harder by netting a second with a perfectly-placed header into the bottom-left corner, but the home crowd was ignited when Emily von Egmond pulled a goal back with a close-range header in the 64th minute. Roared on by the crowd of 8,749 spectators, Cho So-Hyun then equalised with a brilliant volley in the 86th minute to set up a nail-biting finish that featured 10 minutes of added time. Playing in the last game of her professional career, Ireland international Louise Quinn came off the bench and she had a late shout for a penalty turned down as Birmingham rained balls into the box, but London City managed to hold on to become the first fully independent women's club to play in the top division. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
London City Lionesses promoted to WSL after epic 2-2 draw with Birmingham
May 4 ((Reuters)) - London City Lionesses held on for a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Birmingham City that saw them top the FA Women's Championship and win promotion to the Women's Super League, despite throwing away a two-goal lead late in the final game of the season. With only the winners promoted, the Lionesses finished the season with 43 points, two ahead of Birmingham, and they will replace already-relegated Crystal Palace in the WSL next term. Relegated in 2022 after a 20-year stint in the top flight, second-placed Birmingham City came into the game knowing they needed to win to secure promotion, and they had a couple of decent chances in a thrilling but scoreless first half. Izzy Goodwin made them rue those missed opportunities in the 47th minute, cutting in from the left and riding a couple of tackles before firing a rocket into the top-left corner to give her side the lead with her 16th goal of the season. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah made Birmingham's task all the harder by netting a second with a perfectly-placed header into the bottom-left corner, but the home crowd was ignited when Emily von Egmond pulled a goal back with a close-range header in the 64th minute. Roared on by the crowd of 8,749 spectators, Cho So-Hyun then equalised with a brilliant volley in the 86th minute to set up a nail-biting finish that featured 10 minutes of added time. Playing in the last game of her professional career, Ireland international Louise Quinn came off the bench and she had a late shout for a penalty turned down as Birmingham rained balls into the box, but London City managed to hold on to become the first fully independent women's club to play in the top division.
