Plumptre returns for Falcons, France friendly

Saudi-based defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, will make a return to the Super Falcons squad for the first time since recovering from a six-month injury as she has been invited by head coach Justin Madugu for the international friendly against France on Saturday, November 30.

The Nigeria Football Federation on Sunday announced a list of 20 players, consisting five home-based players and 15 foreign pros.

The Ittihad Ladies defender who missed the 2024 Olympic Games in France marked her return last month with her club and will also be joined by another returnee, Rinsola Babajide, who was left out of the Paris Olympics squad and the two recent friendly games against Algeria.

Madugu also handed a fresh call-up to Pyramids of Egypt’s striker Blessing Nkor.

CAF Awards nominee, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Osinachi Ohale, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, just as forward Gift Monday are also in the squad.

US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Turkey-based Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Adoo Yina and forwards Mercy Omokwo and Ifeoma Onumonu are also invited to the encounter scheduled for the Stade Raymond Kopa in the city of Angers, with kick-off set for 9.30 pm France time.

Everton Ladies midfielder Toni Payne, as well as Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo – who both starred for the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in September – will also fly to France for the big match.

However, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who is also a CAF Awards nominee, is out as a result of injury.

While the Bleues are happy to take the game as part of their preparations for the League of Nations in the spring and the 2025 UEFA Euro Women Championship in Switzerland in the summer, the Falcons will welcome the encounter as part of the process for blooding a new squad, as well as another test ahead of the 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next summer.

Already pitched with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the Africa Cup final tournament, Madugu will be grateful for the stern test that the Les Bleues will provide for his nine-time African champions in Angers.

According to the NFF, all the invited players will fly directly to France for the match, to be joined by the coaching crew and backroom staff.