Despite being born in England, the 23-year-old defender made her competitive debut for the 11-time African Champions on Friday.
Ashleigh Plumptre, a defender for Leicester City Women, has disclosed that she chose to represent Nigeria over England because she wanted to be closer to her family and background.
Plumptre was born in England and, due to her skin colour, could pass for a white woman. The 23-year-old was born in Leicester and played for the Three Lionesses as a child.
Plumptre, on the other hand, is eligible to play for Nigeria because her father and grandparents are both Nigerians. After making her competitive debut for the Super Falcons in their 2-0 win over Ivory Coast in the first leg of their Africa Women's Cup of Nations qualifications on Friday, she has chosen this option.
Plumptre was aware that things may have turned out differently, but she chose Nigeria to reconnect with her roots.
When asked why she chose to play for Nigeria, Plumptre said, "Yes, I had experiences playing with England when I was younger and I really enjoyed them."
"But, to be honest, football means something different to me today than it did when I was younger."
"And the most important thing, as I've mentioned in a few other interviews, is my family, particularly my sister and me."
"I have two younger brothers and a younger sister," says the narrator.
Plumptre, who attended a team training camp last year before making her competitive debut, said the relationship she shares with her sister was also a factor in her decision.
"My sister and I have a father, thus my father is Nigerian, my grandfather was born in Lagos, and my two brothers have an English mother and father."
"Because we are both Nigerians, my sister's upbringing differs slightly from mine."
"However, she's been through things I haven't, and we've been curious about learning more about our heritage, which is based on how she identifies herself and how I do as well."
"So it's only been in the last couple of years, particularly last year around Covid, when my sister and I started bonding over our Nigerian ancestry."
"As for me, she's just 11, but I feel like I can give her some advice on a lot of things."
"However, this is a brand-new adventure for both of us."
"It's almost as if I'm taking her on the adventure with me," she explained.
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