National Teams
Paris 2024: Ashleigh Plumptre hails Super Falcons’ defensive display after Spain loss
By Monsurah Olatunji
Nigeria international Ashleigh Plumptre has commended her teammates for their defensive prowess despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to world champions Spain at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris.
The Super Falcons faced their second consecutive loss in the group stage on Sunday, leaving Coach Randy Waldrum’s team in a challenging position.
An 85th-minute free-kick by Alexia Putellas secured the victory for La Roja, who dominated much of the match.
Despite the disappointing result, Plumptre, who played a key role in the qualifying rounds but missed the tournament due to injury, praised her teammates for their resilience against the reigning World Cup holders.
In her absence, Chidinma Okeke stepped up in the Super Falcons’ defense, playing a crucial role in Randy Waldrum’s robust defensive strategy.
The Saudi Arabian-based star expressed her pride in watching Okeke and the rest of the team stand strong against the formidable Spanish side.
“This team [Super Falcons] knows how to defend – sheesh! Good fight @NGSuper_Falcons – proud to watch,” Plumptre tweeted on X.
The Super Falcons now face a must-win match against Japan in their final Group C game, aiming to break a 20-year jinx and advance to the quarterfinals.
