One of the standout players at this year’s All Stars Women Football Competition in Lagos, Christiana Ogunlade has declared that she wants to use the showcase matches to launch herself into the big time.
Sports247 reports that Ogunlade, who disclosed that she has been playing football since she was on JSS1, has already gained a lot in the round leather game, but posited that she still needs a breakthrough during the competition at Legacy Pitch of Lagos National Stadium, Surulere in order to become a full-fledged professional.
Ogunlade stated, “It has been one of the best among the competitions I’ve been playing. The games have been interesting, very interesting. I love the competition, the way they encourage us, and how they respect us.
The coach talks to us calmly … not shouting, no cursing. They tell us just to try our best. That’s one thing I like most in what the coach always tells us, ‘Just try your best.’ It makes me happy.”
Ogunlade, who was named woman of the match on a day she scored her first goal of the competition, went on to reveal the extra preparations she undertook before heading to the 2025 All Stars Women competition and then pinpointed what she has gained from it.
She continued, “First of all, I went for extra training. I told myself that I’m going to use this competition to get something for my career. My target is that I’m not going home empty, and I must achieve something.
I must not come here, play, and go back just like that. I’ve been playing football since I was in JS1. I loved seeing people playing, and I am happy that I am also now playing.”
The ebullient lass also took her mind back to how it all began for her and concluded with an affirmation that her career will take a leap for the better during and after the ongoing all-comers contest organised by the Association of Nigeria Women Football Club Coaches (ANWFCC).
“When I saw boys playing, I told myself that I could also try it. At a point, there was a man in our school who called me and told me that I was a good player, then advised me to focus on it. That’s how I put interest in football, and I started training regularly.
From there, I started gaining something in football. I’ve already gained a lot from football, because it has taken me to so many places. I’ve even played for Lagos State, and I’ve achieved a lot of things in this football.
I believe this is my year, and I’m going to achieve more than I’ve already done. I will try my best and make this football my career,” Ogunlade declared
