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The England-born centre-back revealed she started seriously considering exploring her Nigerian ancestry during the coronavirus lockdowns.
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has revealed that contrary to the notion that most people have about her identity, she feels more mixed than white.
The 24-year-old 5-foot-9-inch centre-back who is tied to Nigeria through her paternal grandfather born in Lagos started seriously considering exploring her Nigerian ancestry during the coronavirus lockdowns.
Despite having played for England’s youth squads, including at the under-23 level, she switched her allegiance to Nigeria this year, making her official debut in February.
So far, she has featured for Nigeria in major friendlies as well as represented the national women's team at the 2022 Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons finished fourth, behind Zambia, Morocco and South Africa.
Plumptre's love for Nigeria, immeasurable
“Most people just assume that I’m white," the Leicester City defender said in an interview with The Guardian. "I identify as being mixed heritage. But my sister…she identifies as being black.”
The Super Falcons defender has two younger brothers and a sister, all half-siblings.
She continued: “Even though we have the same dad, we both have a Nigerian dad and a white mum, she looks a little different to me and has experienced things in school that I never had. I felt a bit helpless in that.
“That’s where I’m like: ‘OK, Nigeria would be good for me to do because then I can experience the culture more, I can come back and teach her about our heritage.’ That was the trigger for me.
“I love the culture, I honestly love everything about being in Nigeria,” Plumptre added.
Plumptre considers herself 'lucky'
Speaking more on 'being a Nigerian,' the Leicester-born defender revealed that she is only just realizing that she is lucky to have been given birth to in the United Kingdom.
“I've realised how lucky I’ve been to just have been born in this country, the opportunities that I’ve been blessed with.
“My Nigerian teammates, for example, they’ve worked so hard but sometimes they don’t get the same opportunities based upon the teams that they’re playing in, the lack of exposure that they have. It’s a privilege to play with them.”
Back at Leicester, the Super Falcons defender faces a turbulent season as her side has lost their first seven matches of the season. However, Plumptre stays hopeful about avoiding a possible relegation.
“We know how it feels and we know how to get out of it so ultimately everybody is pretty much keeping the faith. We know we can get results.”
After the league season, Plumptre will hope to make Nigeria's squad having already helped the country qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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