Playing for More Than Glory
An Exclusive Interview Ahead of the Falcons’Final Match
By May Ikeora-Amamgbo
Ashleigh Megan Plumptre is not your typical footballer. Born in Leicester, England, to a Nigerian father and an English mother, her career has straddled both continents and causes with remarkable grace. A formidable defender with a calm, cerebral presence on the pitch, she has worn jerseys for clubs including Leicester City, Notts County, and most recently, Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. But her story stretches far beyond the white lines of the football field.
After representing England at youth level, Ashleigh made the powerful and personal decision to play for Nigeria, her father’s homeland, officially debuting for the Super Falcons in 2021. Since then, she has become not only a defensive anchor in the national squad but also a global symbol of identity, advocacy, and thoughtful leadership in women’s sport. Her visibility has become a beacon for many young girls navigating dual heritage, representation, and purpose.
Off the pitch, Ashleigh has gained international recognition for her outspoken advocacy against trafficking in sport, particularly through her work with Mission 89, a Geneva-based organisation combatting child trafficking in athletics. Combining empathy with activism, she uses her platform to raise awareness about the hidden vulnerabilities faced by young athletes, especially girls in underserved communities.
Ahead of the highly anticipated African Women’s Cup Final, where the Super Falcons have once again proved why they are Africa’s most storied team, Raising Women Magazine caught up with Ashleigh to speak about pressure, purpose, identity, and the responsibility of taking up space with courage and conviction.
Q. The Falcons have just won the semi-finals and are heading to the finals for the first time. How is the team feeling at this point? What is the vibe like with this development?
A. The energy is really positive. From the start of the tournament, there has been a lot of expectation placed on us, but what has stood out is the unity within the group. We have taken things one step at a time, never underestimating any opponent, and fully embracing the journey.
In one of our early team meetings, one of the girls said something that really stayed with me. She reminded us that while we all want to win, what we will truly remember is the journey we took to get there. That mindset has grounded us. Right now, we are simply soaking it all in, staying present, and enjoying every part of the experience.
Q. We have seen tremendous support from influential Nigerian women, including the Minister of Women’s Affairs, rallying behind the Falcons. How do you and your teammates feel about this? Would you say this level of support is different from what you have experienced before?
A. It has been really special. Some of the girls have shared videos from people in Nigeria on our group chat, and it has been amazing to see the messages of support pouring in. Even though we are in Morocco, it genuinely feels like we are playing at home. The presence of Nigerian fans here is strong, whether they have travelled or are living in Morocco. And then there are thousands more supporting us online and from back home.
The energy has been incredible. In some of our toughest matches, especially where we have managed to get a goal right at the end, you can feel how much the support has lifted us. Hearing the crowd, feeling that momentum, it really makes a difference. This level of backing has been powerful, and we are truly grateful. It feels like we are being carried by a wave of national pride and belief.
Q. Your career has spanned continents, clubs, and causes. But before the titles and trophies, who is Ashleigh Plumptre? Tell us about the girl behind the game.
A. I have always loved sport. Not just football, but sport as a whole. It has been my way of understanding myself and connecting with others. My football journey reflects that. I have played in different countries across various continents, and those decisions have often been influenced more by people and culture than by the game itself. I am curious about people. I love engaging with those from different backgrounds because it expands my mind and invites me to question my own perspectives.
Yes, I am known as a footballer, but that is just one layer of who I am. My real passion lies in what sport makes possible. Sport has challenged me. It has helped me confront parts of myself I did not know I needed to face, like my struggles with confidence. There is a lot of pressure in sport, not just from others but the kind we place on ourselves. Over time, I have learned to keep choosing courage over fear, to show up even when it feels uncomfortable. That has been deeply transformative for me.
I grew up shy, someone who would rather stay quiet than be in the spotlight. Now I find myself playing in stadiums, speaking to all kinds of people, and stepping into spaces I never imagined. All of that has been made possible because of football. So, while I sometimes feel hesitant to say I am just a footballer, I recognize that the game has opened so many doors for me. It is not just something I do. It is what has enabled me to grow, to travel, to connect, and to discover the kind of person I want to be.
Q. Many people know you as a powerful footballer. But in your work with Mission 89, you have taken a strong stand against child trafficking in sports. What made this issue personal for you, and why was it important to take that fight off the pitch?
A. Last year, while recovering from surgery in Doha, I watched a film called Sound of Freedom. It shook me to my core. The story centered on human trafficking, and it made me so deeply uncomfortable that I almost turned the television off. I walked out of the room at one point because it was so upsetting. But then something in me said, “Ashleigh, this is exactly why you need to watch it. You have the privilege of switching off the screen and pretending this is not real. Others do not.”
So, I went back and watched the rest of the film.
A few months earlier, an agent had mentioned Mission 89 to me in passing while I was in Saudi Arabia. That same week after watching the film, I reached out to Lerina from Mission 89. I told her I wanted to be involved. Even though I have never personally experienced trafficking, I could not ignore its existence, especially after doing my own research. I was shocked by how little I actually knew.
When I finally spoke to Lerina, she asked me a very honest question. She said, “You are a professional footballer. You do not need to get involved in this. So why do you want to?”
And I told her, “That is exactly why I need to. When people tell you not to speak on certain issues, especially difficult or controversial ones, I believe that is when your voice is most needed.” Some people even warned me that getting involved might impact my career or close doors for me. But I could not stay silent. These things are happening, and too many athletes are not talking about it.
The more I have worked with Mission 89, the more I have realized just how real and urgent this problem is. At first, I only knew the surface. But the deeper I have gone, the more passionate I have become. I know so many young people who dream of becoming professional athletes, and I also know how misleading social media can be. It often paints a picture of a glamorous and easy journey, when for many, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds, it is anything but.
That is why I chose to take this fight off the pitch. Because if my voice or my visibility can help just one young person avoid being deceived or exploited, that would mean more to me than any trophy ever could. Trophies are wonderful, but they are temporary. Helping to protect someone’s life and future is far more lasting and meaningful.
Q. Sports can be both a dream and a trap for young people, especially girls in vulnerable communities. What are some of the untold risks that aspiring female athletes face, and what do you think needs to change in the system?
A. The rise of women’s sport is empowering, but it has also opened new risks for young girls, particularly in vulnerable communities. Many now feel that the dream is closer than ever, thanks to social media. But that nearness is often an illusion. What looks like opportunity can sometimes be a trap, dressed up as the real thing.
A lot of the dangers are hidden. They are not talked about openly, and that silence is part of the problem. I know players who are really talented, international-level players, who still do not feel safe enough to speak about these things. I understand their fear. Speaking out can feel risky. But I also know I have the privilege of security: a contract, a home, a family. Many girls do not. They are gambling everything for a chance. And that makes them deeply vulnerable.
I get messages every week from young Nigerians asking for help…sometimes just for boots. It reminds me how easily someone could exploit that desperation. Social media shows the highlights, but not the hardship. That gap between perception and reality is dangerous.
What needs to change? More athletes need to speak. We have platforms, followers, and influence. If more of us told the whole story, the challenges, the red flags, the reality behind the shine, we could help the next generation navigate the system with greater awareness.
Right now, it feels like I am speaking into a quiet room. But if others join in, that silence turns into a movement. And that movement might just be the change so many girls are waiting for.
Q. As a woman of mixed heritage representing Nigeria on the global stage, how has your identity shaped the way you show up, not just as an athlete, but as an advocate and a voice for change?
A. I did not grow up knowing much about my Nigerian heritage. My dad is Nigerian, but he was raised British, and my grandfather, who moved from Lagos to England, felt the need to raise his children in a way that helped them survive. That trickled down to me. Joining the Super Falcons was the turning point. It made me reflect on who I truly am and what part of my identity I had never explored.
My younger sister played a huge role in this journey. She is darker skinned, with textured hair, and her school experiences were very different from mine. She faced things I never did, and hearing her stories made me question why we had never embraced our Nigerian identity more fully. I wanted us to feel empowered by it, not defined or limited by how others perceive us.
That sense of responsibility led me to represent Nigeria. It gave me courage to speak up, not just for myself but for others who see themselves in me. My sister’s authenticity inspired me to show up with more honesty, to step into uncomfortable spaces, and to use my platform to talk about what truly matters.
There was a moment during a tournament in Morocco that brought everything full circle. A Nigerian father brought his three mixed-race daughters to my game. Seeing them in the crowd made me emotional. I realized that my choice to represent Nigeria gave them someone to relate to. That moment reminded me that this journey is bigger than football. It is about identity, belonging, and choosing to take up space in a way that honors who we are and those coming after us.
Q. Has there ever been a time when your stance on integrity or advocacy cost you something, an opportunity, a relationship, or even your peace? How did you navigate that?
A. Absolutely. I think whenever you take a stand or express views that some may find controversial, there is always a cost. People often expect you to speak their language, to align with their priorities, and to reflect their worldview. But as I have grown older and more grounded in my beliefs, passions, and values, I have become more comfortable with standing apart.
It is not always easy. I have lost friendships that were once very close to my heart, and that has been deeply painful. I am someone who feels things intensely, who connects emotionally and invests deeply in people. So, when those connections fall away, it cuts deep. And while I have walked away from opportunities—whether partnerships or affiliations—because I could not align with what they represented, it is the loss of relationships that has been the most difficult to navigate.
In moments like those, peace is often the first thing to go. But I have learnt not to suppress how that disruption makes me feel. We all want peace, and it is essential. But sometimes, the turbulence is where the most growth happens. When life strips you bare, when you are hurting in places you did not know existed, there is an invitation to look inward. That is where transformation begins.
The way I have navigated it all is by being radically honest with myself. Even when the emotions are overwhelming, I try to sit with them, to feel them, and to learn from them. That honesty has helped me accept not only myself, but also the imperfections of others. With the support of people that I trust and with time, I have learnt to let go and move forward. It is not always neat or easy, but it is real. And for me, that matters most.
Q. What keeps you centered? In a world that often celebrates noise, what grounds you in silence? What daily habits or mindsets help you keep purpose above pressure?
A. What keeps me centered is connecting with what I call my soul purpose.
It is less about what I do and more about who I truly am when everything else is stripped away. Who am I beyond being a footballer? That quiet inner space has become my anchor.
In professional sport, you are pulled in so many directions. People expect you to show up a certain way, say the right things, meet the moment. But I always return to stillness. I step away from the noise, from social media, and just sit with myself. Sometimes it is in nature. Sometimes I just sit in silence and reflect.
I write a lot. I ask myself why. Why do I feel this way? Why did that moment stay with me? I have a close friend who I confide in regularly. Our conversations help me navigate thoughts I might not yet have words for.
There are no perfect daily habits, just a commitment to honesty. Asking the right questions, being present with myself, and not being afraid to sit in discomfort when it comes. That is what grounds me. That is where purpose rises above pressure.
Q. If you could pass one message to every young woman standing at the edge of a difficult decision, perhaps to walk away from exploitation or to speak up for herself, what would you tell her?
A. In a world full of noise, pressure, and promises that sometimes come at a cost, nothing will bring you more lasting peace than learning to listen to yourself. Trust your inner voice, that deep intuition we all have. It may not always be loud, but it is always honest.
When it comes to walking away from exploitation or finding the courage to speak up for yourself, know that those are not easy things to do. They take strength, especially in environments that make you question your worth. But your body, your mind, your soul, they are yours to protect. No dream, opportunity, or relationship is worth sacrificing those parts of yourself for.
If something feels wrong, even slightly, do not ignore that feeling. Your safety, your peace, your wholeness must always come first. Because at the end of the day, you are your most valuable asset, and protecting yourself is the most powerful decision you can make.
Q. As a closing reflection, what message, mantra, or mindset would you offer to women everywhere on how to honour their worth, build meaningful wealth, and safeguard their overall wellbeing?
A. It all begins with knowing your worth by connecting to who you truly are. Not the roles you play or the titles you hold, but the core of your being. When you value yourself from within, you start to make choices that protect and reflect that worth.
Meaningful wealth follows when you lead with self-awareness. It is not just about money, it is about peace, purpose, and health. So listen to yourself. Trust your voice. When you honour your worth, the rest aligns wealth and wellbeing included.
Thank you Ashleigh and good luck to you and your team ahead of the finals.
Thank you Dr May!