By Tayo Ogunseye
With few hour to their second Group C match against Botswana in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Super Falcons Defender Ashleigh Plumptre is urging fans to stick with the team ahead of the crucial game.
The nine-times champion faltered 2-1 against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the opening group game with a disappointing defeat on Monday.
The shock defeat to their biggest rivals in women’s football drew plenty of doubts over the Falcons’ ability to remain ‘Super’ and defend their title in the North African country of Morocco.
But speaking ahead of the second game against Botswana scheduled for the Moulay Hassan Fus Stadium, Rabat on Thursday night, Plumptre appealed to their fans to keep backing them as they seek to put their title defence and the dream to make it 10 back on track.
“Our fans need to stick with us” she pleaded.
” The importance of fans is vital. We see things on social media and the positivity from our fans pushes us along. We need their support as much as possible and we need their continuous belief just like what we share in camp here and that’s the support we need across the country. “
The Leicester City of England defender then appealed to their fans to put the disappointment of the first match behind them and give the team the needed support when they file out against debutants.
“We need you to get behind us for this is what we need to get us the success we all crave for.”she appealled.
Nigeria will hope to earn back some respect and shore up their reputation tonight by 9pm when they meet the high-scoring Botswana.
Meanwhile, Head Coach Randy Waldrum is expect to ring a few changes in the team that lost to South Africa as star player Asisat Oshoala has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
First choice goal keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie will make a return after observing a suspension.
Bostwana enjoyed a 4-2 victory on Matchday One in a six-goal thriller over Burundi which place them on top of Group C with three points ahead of South Africa due to their goal difference advantage.
