Super Falcons star Ashleigh Plumptre has opened up about the challenging conditions faced by the Nigerian women’s national team during the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, describing their hotel accommodation as inadequate and draining.

In an exclusive interview with Sportsblog247.com, Plumptre shared her disappointment over the lack of basic recovery facilities—like a gym or swimming pool—at the hotel in Casablanca where the team was based throughout the group stage and knockout rounds.

> “For me and some of the other girls, we were tired towards the end because we were put in a hotel in Morocco that didn’t have a gym,” she revealed. “Towards the end of the tournament, we were taken to a public gym just to be able to use one.”

Plumptre went on to detail just how cramped the hotel rooms were, saying it affected the players’ ability to rest and recover properly.

> “The hotel room given to us in Morocco was so small. Me and my roommate couldn’t even move if we opened our suitcases,” she lamented.

The Leicester City defender also highlighted the gap in support between African teams and top European sides like England, pointing to the investment, planning, and structure that are commonplace in other setups.

> “It’s just the little things—like the quality of training pitches, the recovery processes, and overall player welfare—that make a huge difference. You see the level of investment in teams like England, and you understand why they keep progressing.”

When asked whether the responsibility for the team’s accommodation fell on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or the WAFCON organizers, Plumptre said the players had no clear information on who made the arrangements.

Her comments have reignited debates over player welfare and the need for improved infrastructure and planning around African women’s football tournaments.