Ashleigh Plumptre has said the Super Falcons are capable of causing a couple of upsets at the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Super Falcons are in Group B alongside Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Randy Waldrum’s side are currently in Turkey in continuation of their preparations for this year’s tournament.
Last Friday they edged World Cup debutant Haiti 2-1 and will take on co-host New Zealand on Tuesday.
And speaking in an interview posted on the Super Falcons Twitter handle, Plumptre said:”I think right now we’re just in a really good position just preparing as we are, here in Turkey,” Plumptre said.
“Obviously we’ve got our eyes set on the summer but right now we’re trying to just put little details into practice and make sure that come the summer the team is ready to perform.
“Yeah we know we’re obviously against really good competition, we definitely can’t look past that. Pressure is on the likes of Canada and Australia and I know we have some amazing talent in this team, so we’re definitely going to put in some good performances and I think we can cause some couple of upsets.”
Plumptre has made nine appearances for the Super Falcons and made her first appearance at the 2022 women’s AFCON in Morocco.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
By Toju Sote
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COMMENTS
With just 2 wins, 1 draw and a massive 6 losses in their last 9 world cup group stage matches, the omens aren’t in favour of the Super Falcons to scale through their group in this summer’s world cup.
Matched against heavyweights Canada and Australia with high flying Ireland looking to go far in the competition, Nigeria have it all to do.
But fan favourite Super Falcons defender is defiant.
“We’re definitely going to put in some good performances (at the World Cup) and I think we can cause some couple of upsets, ” expressed Plumptre.
After losing 7 games in a row, the Super Falcons returned to winning ways against Costa Rica and Haiti in their last two friendlies and this fact appears to have imbued the team with an air of confidence and positivity.
“I think right now we’re just in a really good position; we’re trying to just put little details into practice and make sure that come the summer the team is ready to perform.” Plumptre enthused.
Personally I am cautiously optimistic. The Super Falcons only lost narrowly to heavyweights USA (2:1) and drew against behemoths Canada (2:2) in the last encounters against the pair.
Beleaguered coach Waldrum is always quick to remind weary fans that his ladies overcame mighty Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon to qualify for this tournament.
But for me the man is his own worst enemy. Placing players out of position is a major flaw in his approach in my humble opinion. Inadequate in-game management and overreliance on certain players even when these players are not delivering the goods remain unattractive facets of the American gaffer’s presentation.
But, certain positive and compelling aspects of the Super Falcons’ performances against Japan, America and Canada, even in defeat, shows that Plumptre is right when she says her team is capable of causing seismic shocks.
So, all hope is not lost. In the likes of Plumptre, Oshoala, Ucheibe, Kanu, Okoronkwo, Ajibade, Nnadozie and Demehin, the Super Falcons have players who can hold their own against some of the best teams on the planet.
All I think is left is for Waldrum to get his tactics, team selection and in-game management spot on. If that happens, then, anything will be possible!
They shud go and play clubs .let see how they fair with clubs like arsenal shelfield baca
Then we know how good they are