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Ashleigh Plumptre was not an England reject, explains Naija Spirit after Super Falcons World Cup exit.
The decision of Super Falcons star Ashleigh Plumptre to change her international allegiance from England to Nigeria has dominated the social media space.
The grandparent rule allowed Plumptre, whose mother is British and had 30 caps for England at the youth level, to play for Nigeria.
The defender had to make sure she had all of the necessary paperwork in order to demonstrate her eligibility.
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She had to obtain a Nigerian passport, her grandfather's papers, and formal approval from each of the four home countries (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), as well as the Nigerian internal affairs.
Her father, Tim Rick Plumptre, and her paternal grandfather, Harry Dotun Plumptre posed in an old photo that has gone viral on social media.
Fans are now convinced of Plumptre's Yoruba ancestry because of the widely shared images of her relatives.
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Plumptre's decision to play for Nigeria initially drew criticism, but today she is a fan favorite.
Ashleigh Plumptre: England or Nigeria choice for defender explained
There have been speculations circulating on social media that Plumptre rejected England for Nigeria.
This assertion calls into question a look back at Plumptre’s comments about England before the switch to Nigeria.
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Plumptre, a few years ago, while at the University of Southern California, celebrated her inclusion in the England women’s youth team.
She said in part, “Another significant honor was my inclusion in the England Women’s U23 La Manga tournament in Spain earlier on this year.”
Her perspective has since shifted to embracing Nigeria to learn about her heritage, food, people, and culture.
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Ashleigh Plumptre: England vs Nigeria World Cup review
Plumptre’s decision to choose the Super Falcons of Nigeria instead of the Lionesses of England reared its head at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons suffered a 4-2 loss on penalties to the Lionesses in a round of 16 clash as Plumptre put in a massive performance against her birth country, and reactions reflected that on social media.
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Ashleigh Plumptre: Details Naija Spirit
Plumptre’s previous comments about how excited she was to play for England in the past and her passion for Nigeria came into question on social media once the game was over.
She took to her official social media platforms to post a message that said, “It’s been one of the biggest privileges of my life to stand alongside some of the most resilient, talented and inspiring women I’ve ever met.
“While many emotions have been felt over the course of this tournament, I go home feeling incredibly grateful.
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“Grateful that this journey has given me the opportunity to go deeper into my own identity, learn more about what it means to have “Naija spirit” and to showcase to the world what a unified, determined and empowered group of women are capable of achieving.
“Proud to be a Super Falcon 🇳🇬”
Plumptre, who departed Leicester City last season is now expected to have impressed several teams due to her World Cup performance.
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