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WAFCON 2024: Should Demehin and Plumptre have made CAF’s Best XI?

Obi Donald
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Ashleigh Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin were vital players for Justin Madugu’s side in Morocco…

The Super Falcons secured the WAFCON 2024 title most dramatically, sealing a 3-2 comeback against Morocco in Rabat.

The journey from the group stage saw two Nigerian players claim prizes at the end of the tournament. Chiamaka Nnadozie took home the Goalkeeper of the tournament award while Rasheedat Ajibade was the best player of the competition.

However, what stunned so many Nigerian’s was the eventual team of the tournament released by CAF. The list included three Super Falcons: Michelle Alozie, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo.

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While the inclusion of these three cannot really be contested, it was surprising that only one defender from the team that conceded the fewest goals in the tournament was included.

Esther Okoronkwo is celebrating Nigeria’s second goal alongside Oluwatosin Demehin against Zambia in the WAFCON 2024 quarter-final. [Photo Credit/ X].

Should Demehin and Plumptre have made CAF’s Best XI?

Without mincing words, yes. Osinachi Ohale might not have a strong case as she faltered a few times, but without a doubt, Demehin covered very well for the 33-year-old.

Considering it was also the first WAFCON tournament for the Galatasaray centre-back, she was an imperial figure in the Nigerian backline that kept four clean sheets in six games.

Not only was she a rock at the back, she also found the back of the net in Nigeria’s 5-0 thumping over Zambia in the quarter-final.

Ashleigh Plumptre during the 2025 WAFCON Finals match between Morocco and Nigeria at Stade Olympique de Rabat
Ashleigh Plumptre during the 2025 WAFCON Finals match between Morocco and Nigeria at Stade Olympique de Rabat on July 26, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

On the full-back side is Plumptre. The Al-Ittihad Ladies defender played five of Nigeria’s six games in Morocco and was included in the Group Stage Best XI.

The former Leicester City defender was one of Nigeria’s finest players on the pitch, bar the first half in the final.

Still, not many anticipated her exclusion from the Team of the Tournament, because it’s no less than she deserves.

Nigeria have never lost a game whenever Ashleigh Plumptre and Demehin have played together, and that continued through the WAFCON 2024 tournament.

Ashleigh Plumptre talks to teammate Blessing Demehin during the extra time of the round of 16 match between England and Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brisbane, Australia. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

In the stead of this Nigerian duo, CAF opted to include Ghana’s Portia Boakye and South Africa’s Karabo Dhlamini.

Boakye suffered two defeats with Ghana, while Dhlamini’s only loss was to Plumptre’s and Demehin’s Nigeria.

The only stance for a fair ground is that Demehin picked up two yellow cards in six WAFCON games, while Boakye picked up just one, but the metric wouldn’t stand because neither Plumptre nor Dhlamini picked up cards during the tournament, but surprisingly, the one who lifted the trophy wasn’t included in the team.

Rasheedat Ajibade and Chioma Okafor of Super Falcons celebrate during the 2025 WAFCON Finals match between Morocco and Nigeria at Stade Olympique de Rabat on July 26, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Ultimately, the exclusion of the Nigerian duo seemed like a consolation prize for the Ghanians and South Africans who would have something to hold on to after missing out on the trophy, which the Super Falcons won.

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