2023 WWC: They’re my friends – Nigeria’s Plumptre speaks on facing her country of birth England

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has said that she cannot wait to come against her country of birth England at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

English will trade tackles with Nigeria on Monday in the round of 16 showdown at Lang Park in Brisbane.

Pluntre said she knows a lot of players in the England squad. 

The centre back is a native of Leicester and has represented England at  U15, U17, U19 and U23 levels but decided to play for Nigeria, the country of  her paternal grandfather.

She played alongside the likes of Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway in U17 and the likes of Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Bethany England at U23 levels

“I always thought that it was going to be the case, the fact that it was a possibility to play England. I always knew that it would kind of fall that way for us,” she told reporters. 

“I’m just, honestly, so excited to play them. I obviously know a lot of the players, I grew up playing with a lot of them as well so I know them, more than just teammates but as friends as well.

“Obviously it was like a different point in my life when I was playing for them so it’s nice two different parts of my life coming together to be able to play this game so I’m really looking forward to it”.