The absence of defender Ashleigh Plumptre was keenly felt as Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a 1-0 defeat to Brazil in their opening match of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Despite a determined performance, the Nigerian women’s national team was undone by a first-half goal from Gabrielle Nunes Da Silva, leaving them to rue their missed opportunities.
The game, held on Thursday evening in Bordeaux, showcased the Falcons’ resilience but ultimately highlighted the impact of Plumptre’s absence.
Nigerians expressed their disappointment and frustration over the missing defender. Social media was abuzz with comments lamenting Plumptre’s absence. One fan posted, “Ashleigh Plumptre, I miss you,” while another suggested that her presence could have changed the game, saying, “Alozie right and Plumptre left, and we would have been cooking something here.”
Super Falcons ‘oyingbo’ defender Plumptre
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Ada Okereke wrote ” The Brazillians had a free ride with Chidinma on the left, they would have struggled against Plumptre.
Plumptre, a versatile defender who can play both at full-back and in the centre, missed the match due to a foot injury she sustained while with her club, Al-Ittihad. The injury, which required surgery, left a noticeable gap in the Super Falcons’ defense, making it harder for them to contain Brazil’s attacking threats.
The team also faced criticism for the performance of Chiwendu Ihezuo, who was given a starting role. One supporter remarked, “They miss Plumptre and Ihezuo shouldn’t have started.”
As Nigeria’s Super Falcons make their first Olympic appearance since 2008, they find themselves in a tough group alongside Brazil, Spain, and Japan. They will look to rebound from this defeat in their next game against Spain on July 28 in Nantes.
