Oluwatosin “Ashleigh” Plumptre qualifies to play for Nigeria through her Nigerian ancestry.
Here’s why she is eligible:
1. Nigerian Heritage
– Plumptre’s father is Nigerian, which makes her eligible under FIFA’s rules that allow players to represent a nation if they, their parents, or grandparents were born there.
– She was born in Leicester, England (1998), but her family ties to Nigeria secured her eligibility.
2. FIFA Eligibility Rules
– Players can switch national teams if they haven’t played a competitive senior match for another country.
– Plumptre represented England at youth levels (U15, U17, U19, U21) but never in a senior competitive game, allowing her to switch to Nigeria.
3. Commitment to Nigeria
– She expressed a strong desire to play for Nigeria, embracing her heritage.
– She completed FIFA’s nationality switch process to change her affiliation from England to Nigeria.
4. International Debut
– She debuted for Nigeria’s Super Falcons in 2023, playing in friendlies and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Conclusion
Plumptre’s Nigerian ancestry, FIFA’s eligibility rules, and her personal decision allowed her to play for Nigeria despite being born and raised in England. This follows a trend of diaspora players (like Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi) choosing Nigeria.
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