Super Falcons’ Ashleigh Plumptre undergoes right foot surgery

Super Falcons of Nigeria star Ashleigh Plumptre has undergone surgery on her right foot, casting doubt on her availability for the upcoming Paris Olympic games.

The injury, sustained while playing for her club, Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, has recently sidelined her from both club and national team duties.

Confirmation of Plumptre’s surgery came from her club, Al-Ittihad, in a statement released recently.

The club announced, “Ashleigh Plumptre, a player from the Ittihad Women’s Football Team, has successfully undergone right foot surgery. She will now embark on a therapeutic and rehabilitation program to facilitate her return to training sessions.”

Taking to social media, Plumptre shared a photo post-surgery, expressing gratitude to her club and medical team. She stated, “Thank you to everyone at @ittihadladiesclub 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.”

Despite her setback, Plumptre remains determined, acknowledging the support of her Nigerian teammates and fans. She added, “To my @nigeriasuperfalcons 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 I have fought as hard and for as long as I can with this pain. I can’t wait to be back healthy alongside you all again.”

Plumptre’s absence from the recent Super Falcons fixture against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana underscores the impact of her injury on national team commitments. With her surgery complete, the focus now shifts to her recovery timeline, with the 2024 Olympics looming as a potential challenge.