Saudi-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre is set to rejoin the Super Falcons for an upcoming international friendly against France on November 30, marking her first appearance after recovering from a six-month injury. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced a squad comprising 20 players, which includes five home-based players and 15 professionals playing abroad. Plumptre, who plays for Ittihad Ladies, missed the chance to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Olympic Games in France but has resumed playing with her club since last month. She will be joined by Rinsola Babajide, who was also left out of the Olympic squad and recent friendly matches against Algeria.
Head coach Justin Madugu has also extended a new invitation to Blessing Nkor, a striker from Pyramids of Egypt. Other notable players in the squad include CAF Awards nominee Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Gift Monday. Additionally, several players based in the United States and Turkey, such as Michelle Alozie and Oluwatosin Demehin, are also included in the line-up. Young talents from the recent U-20 Women’s World Cup, including Toni Payne and Shukurat Oladipo, will also represent the team in this important encounter scheduled to be held at the Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers, France.
Unfortunately, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, another nominee for the CAF Awards, will miss the match due to injury. The friendly offers the Bleues a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their squad ahead of key competitions, including the League of Nations in the spring and the UEFA Euro Women Championship in the summer of 2025. For the Super Falcons, the encounter serves a dual purpose: it represents a chance to test a new roster and prepare for the 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations slated for Morocco.
As the Super Falcons gear up for this challenging matchup, Madugu is hopeful that the experienced French team, known colloquially as Les Bleues, will provide a rigorous test for his squad. This friendly match is an integral part of their preparation as they seek to blood in new faces while maintaining their competitive spirit ahead of upcoming continental tournaments. The experience gained from competing against high-caliber teams like France can be invaluable for the Super Falcons, who have established themselves as nine-time African champions.
The NFF has confirmed that all invited players will travel directly to France for the game, accompanied by the coaching and support staff. This organized approach signifies the federation’s commitment to ensuring the team’s readiness for the match, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation in achieving victory against a challenging opponent like France. For the Super Falcons, this friendly represents not just a chance to compete but also an opportunity to showcase the depth of talent within Nigerian women’s football as they work towards future international successes.
In conclusion, the upcoming friendly against France serves as a crucial strategic game for both teams. While the French look to sharpen their skills ahead of significant tournaments, the Super Falcons aim to integrate fresh talent and test their squad composition in preparation for continental competitions. With the return of key players like Plumptre and Babajide, supplemented by promising new faces, the stage is set for an exciting encounter that could have lasting implications for both nations in their respective football journeys.
