The defender, who plays for Al-Ittihad Ladies FC, voiced her concerns in a video interview shared by BBC Match of the Day following the announcement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF recently confirmed that the continental tournament would no longer hold between March 17 and April 3, 2026, as initially planned in Morocco. Instead, the competition has been moved to July 25 to August 16, 2026.
According to CAF, the rescheduling became necessary after unexpected logistical and organisational challenges. The governing body said the decision was reached after consultations with global football authorities and other stakeholders connected with the tournament.
Plumptre, however, expressed disappointment with the timing of the change, arguing that the importance of African women’s competitions should not be diminished.
“It just wouldn’t happen for other tournaments in women’s football and especially in men’s football,” she said. “The last WAFCON wasn’t less important than this one just because it wasn’t qualification for a World Cup.”
The Super Falcons defender stressed that continental tournaments should maintain consistency and respect their own significance, regardless of whether they serve as qualifiers for global competitions.
Despite her criticism, Plumptre acknowledged that the upcoming edition represents an important milestone for the competition. The 2026 tournament will be the first to feature 16 teams, expanding participation and offering more nations a pathway to global qualification.
“But obviously this is the first edition where there are 16 teams,” she noted. “All of them will want the chance to qualify for the World Cup, and that’s a big deal for many teams.”
She added that the expanded format could be transformative for emerging football nations across Africa. Many participating countries, she said, have limited experience at the continental level and will benefit from both exposure and financial opportunities associated with the tournament.
“Some of these teams haven’t even played in AFCON before, let alone had a chance to qualify for a World Cup,” Plumptre explained. “It also helps them financially as well.”
Reflecting on the uncertainty surrounding scheduling in African football, the defender said players often have little choice but to remain adaptable.
“All I can do is take it day by day and prepare in the best way I can,” she said, noting that many players across the continent have had to adjust to unpredictable circumstances during their careers.
CAF’s decision to shift the tournament has continued to generate reactions within African women’s football, with players, coaches and analysts debating how the change could affect preparations, competition structures and the broader growth of the women’s game across the continent.