Super Falcons defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, has strongly debunked a viral Facebook post falsely claiming that she was excluded from the Nigerian national team squad for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) because she refused to give in to the demands of a corrupt official.
The Al-Ittihad defender took to her official social media platforms to clear the air, labelling the report as a complete malicious falsehood and urging football fans to disregard the fabricated story.
The viral post, which circulated heavily across various sports groups on Facebook, had alleged that a senior member of the Super Falcons coaching staff demanded financial inducements from the English-born player to secure her spot in the tournament roster.
The false report claimed her subsequent exclusion was a direct punitive measure for her refusal to comply.
Reacting swiftly to the controversy, Plumptre stated that there was absolutely no truth to the rumour, clarifying that her relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the national team technical crew remains built on mutual respect and professionalism.
The star footballer called on her fans to report the fake Facebook account, which, surprisingly, is verified.
The highly-rated centre-back, who won the hearts of millions of Nigerian football fans with her stellar performances at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, has been sidelined due to her ongoing recovery from a major injury.
Her absence from recent national team call-ups is entirely due to physical fitness and medical protocols, rather than any administrative or disciplinary fallout.
Spokespersons close to the Super Falcons camp have also condemned the report, citing it as a deliberate attempt by malicious actors to create division within the team and distract the squad ahead of their continental assignments.
Plumptre, who chose to represent Nigeria through her paternal grandfather, reiterated her unwavering pride in wearing the green and white jersey and expressed her continuous support for her teammates as they prepare for the tournament.
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