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Finalists
have emerged at the 11th edition of the All Stars Football
Championship, organized by the Amalgamation of Women Football Coaches,
in conjunction with the Lagos State Sport Council.

The finalists at
this year’s edition of the championship are Russia and Italy. In
advancing to the final, Russia inflicted a 5-2 defeat on Ghana in the
first semi final match, while Italy defeated South Africa 5-4 on
penalties. Both games were decided on Thursday. In a relatively easy
game for the Russians, Ghana initially had the upper hand but by the
end of the first half, the score line stood at 2-2. Coming back in the
second half, Russia was more energized, scoring three more goal, thus
earning a ticket to the final.

The second semi
final match, between Italy and South Africa, was not easily decided as,
after regulation time, the game remained goalless and extra time was
required to separate both sides. The additional 30 minutes failed to
separate both sides and the game drifted into penalties with Italy
winning 5-4.

Commendations

Speaking on how the
championship has fared so far, Okunwa Ogunbor, a former striker of the
Super Falcons, said the competition was conceived to prepare women
football players for the challenges of playing at the bigger stage.
“The turn out at the tournament has been a big relief on we the club’s
coaches and the players are already in competition mood to win
laurels,” he said. Also speaking at the end of Thursday’s matches,
Agboola Dabiri, the Chairman of the council, said the tourney was a new
beginning for women football in Lagos State and Nigeria. He also
advised the players to remain focused so as to improve on their game.

Today will be the last day of the tournament; with losers in the
semi-final playing to pick the third place winner, while the final will
come up afterwards. Both games will come up at the Legacy Pitch of the
National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State. Wife of the Lagos State
governor, Abimbola Fashola, is expected at the event as the guest of
honour.