Ashleigh Plumptre scores in Al Ittihad’s home loss to Al Ahli

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria defender Ashleigh Plumptre scored another goal for Saudi Women’s Premier League side Al Ittihad, but her goal was not enough to prevent a 4-2 home loss on Saturday.

The clash didn’t produce any goal in the first half, but the second half gave birth to a six-goal thriller with four African players finding the back of the net.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s Naomie Kabakaba scored the opener for Al Ahli in the 63rd minute.

A minute later, Ghana’s Alice Kusi doubled the lead for the visitors.

Leticia Nunes pulled a goal back for the host in the 72nd minute but the travelers responded with their third goal a minute later by Morocco’s Ibtissam Jraidi.

Fadwa Khaled made it 4-1 for Al Ahli in the 80th minute before Plumptre scored her side’s second goal in the 83rd minute.

Plumptre has been showing her goal-scoring prowess for Al Ittihad now that she is the team’s captain.

Her form is crucial for Super Falcons leading to this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Al Ittihad occupy the seventh position on the 10-team Saudi Arabia Women’s Premier League table with 15 points after 11 games.