The Moroccan Football Federation has filed a protest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) challenging Nigeria’s victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), alleging that two Super Falcons players were not eligible to represent the country.
The protest, submitted after Nigeria edged out Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic final on Saturday, targets Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie — two Nigerian internationals born outside the country.
According to Moroccan officials, the duo’s switch of allegiance to Nigeria violated eligibility protocols. The North African nation cited “irregularities” in the nationality documentation and transition process of the players.
The protest, which was initially lodged ahead of the final, is demanding that Nigeria be stripped of the WAFCON title for allegedly fielding ineligible players.
Plumptre, a former England youth international, began playing for Nigeria in 2021 after FIFA confirmed her paternal grandfather was Nigerian. Alozie, on the other hand, was born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents and has consistently expressed her ties to the country.
However, sources within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have dismissed Morocco’s petition as frivolous and without merit.
“This protest is dead on arrival,” a senior NFF official told PLATFORM TIMES. “Both players underwent thorough vetting and FIFA clearance processes before being allowed to represent Nigeria.”
The development has sparked fresh debate over nationality rules in African football, particularly in tournaments where players born abroad often represent their countries of origin.
CAF is yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of press time.
The Super Falcons’ triumph marked Nigeria’s record-extending 12th WAFCON title.
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