Ashleigh Plumptre: Nigeria defender completes successful surgery

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

With one game left in the Saudi Arabia women’s league season, Nigeria defender Ashleigh Plumptre will be sidelined for the remainder of her club’s campaign due to surgery for an injury she underwent last weekend.

Plumptre, who previously played for Leicester City, has had an impressive debut season with her Saudi club, scoring eight goals – an impressive feat for a defender.

Announcing her successful surgery on X (formerly Twitter), she thanked her club, Ittihad Ladies Club, and Dr. Pieter D’Hooge at Aspetar for their support.

“Surgery ✅. Thank you to everyone at @ittiladiesclub and to Dr. Pieter D’Hooge at @Aspetar for supporting me through my first surgery. It’s been a long time coming trying to get answers, but I’m so grateful to now be at this stage.

“To my @NgSuperFalcons teammates and Nigerian fans… Thank you for your patience and understanding when I’ve not been able to be with you. I can honestly say that I have fought as hard and for as long as I can with this pain. I can’t wait to be back healthy with you all,” she posted.

Plumptre missed the two-legged Olympics Qualifiers against South Africa this month due to the injury and the need for surgery. However, she is expected to recover in time for the Olympics, where her services will be crucial as the Super Falcons face Spain, Japan, and Brazil.