Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia defender, Ashleigh Plumptre has disclosed that one of the biggest motivations that helps her perform well during football matches is her ability to connect with fans of the round leather game, Sports247 reports.
The former Leicester City Ladies of England left-wing-back, who became eligible to play for the Super Falcons in 2022 through her Nigerian grandfather, disclosed that she is happy to get closer to football fans when she’s not in action on the pitch.
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Speaking against the backdrop of her contributions to Nigeria’s conquest of this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and her excited dances of celebration after Saturday’s final, Plumptre said she loves seeing fans rooting for her during matches.
The in-form defender, who has also played for LA Galaxy of USA, was happy seeing her mother and sister in the stands at Olympic Stadium in Rabat cheering her to victory against the host country, following which she revealed her passion in getting closer to people.
Plumptre added, “I don’t want to be a football player who is at a distance from fans. For me, I feel that I have a passion to mix with people … real people.
“Obviously, I can’t get close to every fan, but I feel their energy. The more I connect with people, the more I feel for them.”
She went on to speculate about the feelings fans have in return regarding her, then concluded by giving them credit for assisting in Nigeria’s historic 10th conquest of the WAFCON title.
“I believe the fans feel the same way about the players, not just me. I hope they do, but this is a lot bigger than just me.
“It’s not about me, it’s not about the trophy alone … it’s about what we have been able to achieve together as players, as people and as fans.
“When the fans celebrate, it’s more than just reacting to a goal. It’s about the power of football, and the feeling is incredible,” Plumptre philosophised.
Sports247 notes that, coincidentally, many Nigerian fans are already reacting with various shades of critical comments directed at the WAFCON 2024 technical study group for failing to name Plumptre in the competition’s all-star squad.
Although the vastly improved left-back with a Nigerian-born British father was named in the Best-11 list at the end of the group stage, she was not included in the final squad, which has four of her teammates – Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo.
