Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre could not hide her excitement after helping Nigeria keep a shout-out against a Zambian attack that boasted the presence of the current African Women’s Player of the Year Barbra Banda, Footynaija.com reports.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria locked horns with the Copper Queens of Zambia in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, a replay of the 2022 third place playoff that was won by the Zambians.
In the build-up to the match, Zambia’s ferocious attack, led by Banda, was a major talking point. However, it was the Super Falcons that reigned supreme in Casablanca after subjecting the Copper Queens to a humiliating 5-0 defeat.
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Central defenders Osinachi Ohale and Oluwatosin Demehin were amongst the goalscorers, contributing lethally in attack while also keeping Banda and the other of Zambian attackers quiet for the vast majority of the game.
Speaking at a post-match interview, Plumptre, who has featured in every game of the tournament so far and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s perfect defensive record, was delighted with the result.
What Ashleigh Plumptre said
“I think we can allow ourselves to celebrate for a day. The girls have been dancing, but I feel really good,” she told Victor Ademola.
“I’m happy with the performance. Obviously, as a defender, you like to have clean sheets, and to keep a clean sheet against a team like Zambia was a big deal for us.
“To also have five different goal scorers was good for us as well. I was very happy for Tosin [Demehin] and Osi [Ohale], maybe because defenders don’t always get that credit. They’re both excellent leaders in their own right.”
The Super Falcons had struggled in front of goal in the two games that led up to Friday’s quarterfinal. But they put any worries to bed after Ohale scored with the game’s first attempt on goal just inside two minutes.
For Plumptre, Zambia’s approach to the game, which was quite different to that of Botswana and Algeria, proved to be the key factor in the Super Falcons’ change of fortunes in front of goal.
“I always enjoy any game that I play with this team, to be honest, but I think because there was so much going into this one, some people thought we would struggle, and some even counted us out, making us feel like underdogs as well.
“It was nice to come out with a statement win, and that’ll give us a lot of confidence going into the semi-final.
“People will always doubt, but we have to remember that the teams we played before this game respected us and played in a low-block, making it harder for us to get goals.
“Zambia are a bit more offensive, which allowed us to get in behind and be a bit more creative. In the end, it all helps, both doubters and supporters. Fans are fans.”
The Super Falcons await one of South Africa or Senegal in the semifinal.
