Nigeria defender Ashleigh Plumptre has announced a major grassroots initiative in Nigeria, unveiling her passion project titled “Put a Foot in Africa Football Camps & Workshop.”
The programme is scheduled to take place in Lagos in January 2026 and is aimed at young footballers aged 9 to 16, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and be inspired through football.
The two-day camp, delivered through Plumptre’s foundation in collaboration with Al Ittihad coaches, will focus on developing core football skills, helping participants identify their individual strengths, and fostering strong team connections in a supportive environment.
Beyond on-field development, the initiative places strong emphasis on player welfare and education. In partnership with Mission 89, the programme will include sessions on safety in sport, with particular focus on raising awareness about the risks of sports trafficking, empowering young athletes with knowledge to safeguard their futures.
Key Details
Dates: January 2026
Location: Lagos, Nigeria (venue to be announced)
Age Group: 9–16 years
Capacity: Limited to 100 participants per day
Registration: Via QR codes on the official post (separate registration required for each day)
Plumptre’s initiative highlights her commitment to giving back and investing in the next generation of Nigerian football talent, both on and off the pitch.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
