Morocco has lodged an official protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) challenging the eligibility of two Nigerian players Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie who featured in the Super Falcons’ 3-2 victory in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Moroccan Football Federation argues that there were irregularities in the players’ nationality switch, specifically questioning the legitimacy of their documentation and claims of Nigerian heritage.
According to reports BBC Sport Africa, Morocco raised concerns even before the final match, alleging that both players who were born outside Nigeria should not have been cleared to represent the West African country.
Ashleigh Plumptre, born in England, was approved by FIFA in 2021 to represent Nigeria after verifying her Nigerian ancestry through her paternal grandfather. Michelle Alozie, born in the United States to Nigerian parents, has a more direct claim, having been eligible through her birthright.
Morocco’s petition calls for Nigeria to be stripped of the WAFCON title on grounds of player ineligibility. However, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed the protest as baseless and lacking merit.
A senior NFF official described the complaint as dead on arrival, emphasizing that all due processes were followed and the players were lawfully cleared by FIFA.
COURTESY: Kingfresh
