It was an electrified atmosphere at the Campos Mini Stadium Lagos Island on Tuesday December 26 as the annual Asisat Oshoala Celebrity AllStars Match took center stage.
The event which got on the way with an entertaining exhibition match between the Asisat Oshoala Academy and Flourish FC served the best of Women’s football with the girls from Flourish Academy throwing the stadium into frenzy with three exquisite strikes to secure a 3 -1 victory in the pulsating tie.
The MVP of match, Effiong Sandra of Flourish FC, received a 40-inch TV, while the most outstanding goalkeeper, Kuti Taiwo, also of Flourish Academy, got a microwave, courtesy one of the partners of the event, MTN.
The much anticipated fixture was the Celebrity Game that saw Team Naija AllStars captained by former Super Eagles forward Obafemi Martins locked horns with Team Naija Celebrity, led by ace comedian and actor, Ayo Makun, know as AY. It was a fixture that started with ‘Fun Games’ between both sides as they engaged in a run challenge while having a ball between each players closed together on a straight line, team Naija Celebrity came tops in this one.
As expected, the match proper was an action-packed affair that got the capacity crowd on their feet as they follow the brilliant display of football from their favorite stars and some very funny moves from non-professionals. At the end of hostilities Team Naija AllStars came from a goal down to win 4-2 with chief host Asisat Oshoala putting her name on the scoresheet with a late penalty that made it four for the Naija AllStars.
At the end of the event, an elated Oshoala, in her closing remarks, thanked her colleagues as well as the Naija celebrities for coming out in their numbers to support her.
In her words: “I have been doing this for the 8th year running now and must say it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my fellow footballers as well as the celebrities who have always showed up in their numbers to support me.
“I must also commend my manager, Mr. Lanre Vigo, and the team for putting this together, as well as our headline sponsor, Providus Bank, and other partners which include MTN, Pepsi, Flutterwaves, Idomie, gamr, PROkicks, just to mention but a few.
“Together I believe we can consolidate on the successes recorded today as we take it notched further with subsequent edition.”
Coordinator of the event, Mr. Lanre Vigo, who also doubles as the chairman of the organizing committee, said it took months of planning and consultations with the Football Stars, Celebrities and Sponsors to make this year’s event a huge success.
“We were more strategic with our planning this time; our focus was to have the crowd in their numbers as well as bring in some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry to complement the football stars and this we were able to achieve”.
The co-founder of “Plug Sports” thanked the headline sponsor of this year’s event, Providus Bank, and other partners for making the 8th edition a massive success.
“I can’t leave out my team for the dedication and commitment the exude towards making this a reality, let me say I sincerely appreciate their loyalty and believe in the project, it can only be up and forward ahead of the 9th edition in 2024”.
Football fans and spectators in attendance adjuded this to be the biggest and most consistent celebrity game in the country.
