Injured Plumptre Sends Message of Support as Madugu Names WAFCON Squad
The defender will miss Nigeria’s title defence through injury, but urged fans to rally behind the Super Falcons as head coach Justine Madugu confirmed his 25 player squad for Morocco.
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Ashleigh Plumptre has confirmed she will miss the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations through injury, taking to social media to express her disappointment shortly after head coach Justine Madugu named his squad for the tournament.
Plumptre, a key figure in Nigeria’s title winning campaign at the last edition, explained that her body needed more time to recover and that she was listening to what it was telling her. Despite the setback, she urged Nigerians to fully back the Super Falcons in her absence, saying she remained with the squad in spirit and hopeful of fighting alongside them again once she is fit to compete.
Madugu’s 25 player squad is headlined by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, veteran defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Jennifer Echegini, and six time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala. The group also includes Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Gift Monday, Esther Okoronkwo, Francisca Ordega, Omorinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Uchenna Kanu.
Nigeria, the defending champions and record 10-time WAFCON winners, have been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia, and tournament debutants Malawi, with all of their group matches scheduled to be played in Rabat.
The Super Falcons are chasing an 11th continental title after edging hosts Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic final at the last edition of the tournament.
Did You Know?
- Nigeria are the defending WAFCON champions and record 10 time winners of the tournament.
- The Super Falcons won the last edition by beating hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.
- The 2026 WAFCON runs from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco and features 16 teams for the first time.
- Nigeria’s Group C fixtures against Egypt, Zambia, and Malawi will all be played in Rabat.
- The tournament’s four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
- The fifth placed team at WAFCON 2026 will advance to an intercontinental playoff for a World Cup spot.
- Asisat Oshoala, part of Madugu’s squad, has won the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award six times.
