Concerns Over Facilities and Support for Nigerian Women’s National Team
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has raised concerns about the inadequate facilities and support structures provided to the Nigerian women’s national team during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco. Her remarks highlight the challenges faced by the team, particularly in terms of recovery and training environments.
During an interview with Lagos Talks 91.3 FM, which was shared on X, Plumptre expressed her frustration over the lack of essential amenities such as a gym and swimming pool at the team’s accommodation in Casablanca. The team played all their group stage matches, as well as the quarterfinal and semi-final fixtures, in this city. She emphasized that these basic facilities were missing throughout their stay, which significantly impacted the players’ performance and well-being.
Plumptre pointed out that teams like England, who recently won the Euros, have substantial investment and meticulous planning behind them. She noted that even small details, such as the quality of training fields and recovery resources, make a big difference. “It’s just like little things like the resources, what fields they’re training on, what their recovery is like,” she said.
The absence of a proper gym facility left many players physically drained by the end of the tournament. Plumptre revealed that the team was forced to use a public gym towards the end of the competition. “For me and some of the other girls, we were tired towards the end because we were put in a hotel in Morocco that didn’t have a gym. Towards the end of the tournament, we were taken to a public gym to be able to use,” she explained.
When asked about the responsibility for the hotel arrangements, Plumptre admitted that the players were unsure whether it was the Nigerian Football Federation or the Moroccan authorities. “We actually don’t know… It’s CAF, organised by CAF, but I don’t know if it’s the Moroccan FA. Honestly, I’m not quite sure,” she said.
She also mentioned that prior to the tournament, the team had been accommodated in a hotel with a small gym. However, during the main competition, they were moved to a smaller hotel without the necessary facilities. “We didn’t have a gym or a pool or anything like that in our hotel. It was like one of those little hotels in the city,” she added.
This arrangement posed particular challenges for players managing injuries, including Plumptre herself, who was still recovering from an Achilles injury. “I had an injury last year and I’m still trying to keep loading my Achilles. Some of the girls also like to keep their strength up,” she said.
Despite the difficulties, Plumptre praised the team’s captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, for advocating for better conditions. “As soon as we got to the hotel, she told all of us, ‘don’t unpack.’ She said we’re not going to stay here. She told the people in charge that we have to be able to move. Like, we’re here in a major tournament and we don’t have a gym,” she recalled.
Although the team ultimately stayed in the hotel, the management allowed each player to have a room to themselves due to the cramped conditions. “Initially, we were in two to a room, but the rooms were really small. If myself and my roommate were to open our suitcases, we wouldn’t have been able to move. In the end, they did allow us to have a room each, which definitely helped,” Plumptre said.
Despite these challenges, the Super Falcons emerged victorious at the 2024 WAFCON, defeating host Morocco 3-2 in the final. Their success highlights the resilience and determination of the team, even in the face of significant logistical and infrastructural hurdles.
