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Super Falcons star Ashleigh Plumptre insists Nigeria are focused on Zambia as a collective threat rather than being drawn into the hype surrounding Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, Africa’s two most expensive female footballers, Footynaija.com reports.
Zambia’s attacking duo have lit up WAFCON 2024, scoring three goals each during the group phase.
Kundananji, who moved from Madrid CFF to NWSL club Bay FC in a record-breaking €805,000 deal, and Banda, who joined Orlando Pride for €681,000, are among the tournament’s biggest names.
Banda is also the reigning Africa Footballer of the Year, after she displaced Nigerian icon Asisat Oshoala.
But for Plumptre, the focus remains firmly on the bigger picture.
“We know that Zambia has a really good attacking threat and we respect that and obviously prepare well for that,” she told journalists in the pre-match press conference.
“We don’t prepare for two players but we prepare for Zambia as a whole team because we know that if you consume two players there can be threats from different aspects.”
Nigeria are yet to concede in the competition, a record Plumptre credits to the team’s collective commitment on and off the ball.
“We are proud to go into the group stage without conceding. As much as we have a good defence, we have good attacking players from the start and on the bench,” she said.
“We do take pride holistically as a whole team to defend well. I think you can tell in our games, we all defend as one and try to attack as one.”
She also stressed that the Falcons aren’t reliant on one prolific scorer, with several players capable of turning a game.
“It is not like we’re relying on one sole goal scorer and we have threats that could come from numerous places.”
Ahead of Friday’s quarter-final, the team is feeling sharp and united. “Everybody is in good spirits… the atmosphere in camp is calm and exciting,” Plumptre said.
Nigeria have won more WAFCON titles than any other nation in Africa – nine in total.
