Fresh controversy has erupted in Nigerian women's football following allegations by Super Falcons stars Ashleigh Plumptre and Esther Okoronkwo that their exclusion from the squad for the forthcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was influenced by improper conduct from certain officials.
Plumptre, one of the team's most experienced defenders, took to social media on Monday to express her disappointment over her omission from the squad, alleging that she was dropped after refusing to meet demands made by unnamed officials.
According to her, footballing ability and commitment to the national team were not enough to secure her place in the squad.
"I have just been excluded from the squad for the upcoming WAFCON by certain corrupt officials who demanded something from me that I could not and would never offer," Plumptre wrote.
She added that she would never compromise her personal values in order to earn a place in the national team, despite describing it as a privilege to represent Nigeria.
The defender's statement came shortly after fellow Super Falcons midfielder Esther Okoronkwo publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding her own exclusion from the squad.
Okoronkwo accused unnamed officials of withholding the true reasons behind her omission and challenged them to be honest with Nigerians.
"Why not tell Nigerians the real truth?" she asked in a statement shared online.
The midfielder said she had initially chosen to remain silent out of professionalism and respect for the game but could no longer allow what she described as misinformation and false narratives to persist.
She further warned that she might reveal details of what transpired behind the scenes if those responsible failed to provide what she considers an honest explanation for her exclusion.
The allegations have sparked widespread debate among football supporters, particularly given the importance of both players to the Super Falcons setup in recent years.
However, Paris-based journalist Ojora Babatunde said he contacted Plumptre directly and was informed that the Facebook account responsible for the post was fake.
According to him, the defender clarified that she does not have a Facebook account and urged supporters to obtain information about her only from her verified Instagram and X accounts.
As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and officials connected with the national women's team had not issued any formal response to the claims.
While the allegations have attracted significant public attention, neither player has publicly disclosed the identities of the officials involved or provided evidence to support the accusations.
Observers say the controversy could place pressure on football authorities to address the claims and reassure players and fans about the integrity of team selection processes.
Nigeria is expected to compete at the forthcoming WAFCON tournament as one of the favourites, but the dispute has cast a shadow over preparations for the competition.
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