Fake news about super falcons is becoming overwhelming, says NFF competitions director

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has once again urged media outlets, journalists and members of the public to verify information obtained from social media before sharing or publishing it.

The federation’s latest appeal follows the circulation of a false post on social media which claimed that Super Falcons defender Ashley Plumptre had expressed frustration over her alleged omission from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

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Speaking on Tuesday, NFF Competitions Director Ruth David dismissed the report as completely false, emphasizing that Plumptre does not operate a Facebook account and has repeatedly warned the public about impersonators using his online identity.

According to David, the defender had previously published a video in which she clarified that she is not on Facebook and had made several unsuccessful attempts to delete fake accounts.

He also noted that the coaching team is yet to field any official Super Falcons squad for the WAFCON tournament, making the claims even more misleading.

“The coach has not submitted any list of players for the women’s AFCON, so the scammer made a mistake,” David said.

He recalled a similar incident involving Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo where false reports suggested she had complained about being excluded from the team. David explained that the forward was not available for the friendly matches against Senegal due to injury.

The NFF official also referenced an earlier false report that claimed Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala had retired from international football, a story later proven to be false.

David expressed concern about the growing spread of misinformation surrounding the women’s national team and emphasized the importance of responsible journalism.

“The incidence of fake news has become overwhelming. Media owners and media professionals must constantly verify information before publishing it to protect its integrity and credibility,” he said.

The NFF reiterated its call for caution and urged football fans to rely on verified sources for information about the Super Falcons and other national teams.