Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre will not be in action when the Super Falcons tackle South Africa’s Banyana Banyana for a place in the Olympic Games later this year.
The 25-year-old has pulled out of the initial 22-player list, and she will be replaced by teenage defender Jumoke Alani.
OFFICIAL: Our 🇳🇬 roster 📄 for @Banyana_Banyana of South Africa 🇿🇦 doubleheader in the fourth and final round of the qualifying tournament for the #Olympics in April! 🔥🤍#SoarSuperFalcons| #NGARSA| #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/dB7gaxmUrp
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) March 30, 2024
The news of Plumptre’s withdrawal from the team was announced through the Falcons’ official platform on X (former Twitter) on Monday.
🧾CAMP UPDATE:
Defender Jumoke Alani named as replacement for Ashleigh Plumptre, who pulled out due to injury 🤕 vs South Africa 🇿🇦#SoarSuperFalcons| #NGARSA| #Paris2024
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) April 1, 2024
The Al-Ittihad star’s replacement, Alani, alongside Spain-based Rasheedat Ajibade and veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, are the earliest arrivals in the team’s training camp.
The Super Falcons, who are on the hunt for a ticket to the Games for the first time since 2008, will take on the Banyana Banyana in the first leg on Friday, April 5, before heading to South Africa for the second leg scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, with the winners set for a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics slated to begin in July.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens).
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); **Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia)**; Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan).
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain).
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico).
**Ashleigh Plumptre replaced by Jumoke Alani**
