Plumptre Magic! Super Falcons Star Shines in Saudi Arabia!
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre is making waves in the Saudi Women’s Premier League! The talented player delivered two crucial assists in Al Ittihad's dominant 3-0 victory over Eastern Flames on Friday, according to www.aclsports.com. This performance further solidifies her status as a key player for her club.
Plumptre, who also captained the side the previous week and provided the assist for the winning goal against Al Ula, was once again instrumental in the first half. Hala Khashoggi opened the scoring in the 19th minute, followed by Plumptre assisting Lina Boussaha, the Algerian international, in the 27th minute to double Al Ittihad’s lead. Boussaha previously faced Plumptre’s Nigeria in a 0-0 draw during the group stage of WAFCON 2024.
The dynamic duo of Plumptre and Boussaha struck again in the 31st minute, with Plumptre providing the assist for Al Ittihad’s third goal, giving them a comfortable 3-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Her compatriot, Francisca Ordega, joined the action in the 65th minute, helping to secure the victory. This win temporarily propels Al Ittihad into second place in the league standings, pending the outcome of other matches.
Looking ahead, Al Ittihad faces a tough challenge against current league leaders Al Nassr on Saturday, September 27. Both teams are tied with six points, but Al Nassr currently holds the top spot due to a superior goal difference (+4).
What's Next for Nigerian Stars in Europe?
Meanwhile, other Nigerian stars are set to compete in Europe, with the draw for the league phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League now complete. Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Jennifer Echegini’s PSG will face Christy Ucheibe’s Benfica, while Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo’s AS Roma will take on Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Chelsea in challenging group-stage fixtures.
Plumptre's Pre-Season Captaincy
Adding to her achievements, Ashleigh Plumptre recently captained Al-Ittihad in a pre-season friendly against UE Figueres in Spain, showcasing her leadership qualities and versatility on the field.