TWO Super Falcons stars, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and left-back Ashleigh Plumptre, have been included in the best team of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group stage in Morocco.
The Technical Study Group (TSG) for the competition announced the best XI from the group stage today, with Ajibade named as one of three midfielders and Plumptre one of the four defenders.
Also in the best XI are Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji and Lushomo Mweemba, who all play for Zambia, Nigeria’s next opponents in tomorrow’s quarter-final clash.
The team is in a 4-3-3 formation, showcasing the tournament’s standout performers from a thrilling opening round that saw 45 goals scored across 18 matches, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) explained.
In describing Ajibade’s place in the team, CAF says: “On the left side, Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade provided driving runs and technical finesse, linking midfield and attack with ease.”
On Plumptre, the continental body wrote: On the flanks, Nigeria’s Ashleigh “Plumptre impressed with composure and defensive solidity on the left, while South Africa’s Fikile Magama added energy and attacking support down the right.”
Banda, who has scored three goals in the tournament, and Kundananji, who also has three goals, are two of the best XI’s front three, along with Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye.
South Africa trainer Desiree Ellis is selected as the coach of the best XI after leading the defending champions to win Group C with seven points.
WAFCON Group Stage Best XI (4-3-3):
• Goalkeeper: Chloé N’Gazi (Algeria)
• Defenders: Ashleigh Plumptre (Nigeria), Bambanani Mbane (South Africa), Lushomo Mweemba (Zambia), Fikile Magama (South Africa)
• Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria), Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco), Refiloe Jane (South Africa)
• Forwards: Racheal Kundananji (Zambia), Barbra Banda (Zambia), Nguenar Ndiaye (Senegal)