Author: Gabby

Arthur Okonkwo, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, has opened up about his decision to represent Nigeria at the international level. In an interview with the Super Eagles media team, the shot-stopper expressed his excitement over finally being cleared to play for the West African nation, noting that talks with the national team began during the summer of last year.

“It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to play for your country. I am incredibly excited and can’t wait to get started,” said Okonkwo. “I have been waiting for this chance for a long time, and to see it become a reality is fantastic.”

The 23-year-old revealed that the process was set in motion when he received a call from the manager and the goalkeeping coach last summer. “They told me they were interested, and the conversations were very positive. Since then, we have been working on completing the switch from England to Nigeria,” he added.

Okonkwo also shared the emotional moment he learned of his selection. “The goalkeeping coach messaged me first, confirming I was chosen for the camp. A wave of excitement hit me. The first people I called were my dad and mom. I am full of joy and pride. My other family members haven’t heard yet, but they will soon, and I know they’ll be overjoyed.”

When asked about his motivation, the young goalkeeper stated that his primary goal is to win silverware with the Super Eagles. “The reason behind my decision is that I want to win trophies for Nigeria. I know how passionate Nigerians are about football and how much it means to them. To be able to contribute to that, for my country and my roots, would be incredible.”

Nigeria’s national football team head coach Eric Chelle has released the rosters for two separate assignments: the upcoming Unity Cup and a pair of friendly matches featuring Poland and Portugal. The Unity Cup lineup, as reported by DAILY POST, blends domestic-based talents with seasoned international stars.

In the Unity Cup semifinal, the Super Eagles will go up against Zimbabwe next Tuesday. Additionally, the squad will face Poland and Portugal in June. For the Unity Cup, the goalkeeper pool includes Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo, and Michael Atata. Among the defenders are Bruno Onyemaechi, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Igoh Ogbu, Obinna Igboke, Elias Ochobi, and Chibueze Oputa. Midfield duties will be handled by Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Alhassan Yusuf, Aderemi Adeoye, Samson Tijani, Ayobami Junior, and Tosin Oyedokun. The forward line comprises Simon Moses, Akor Adams, Philip Otele, Owen Oseni, Zadok Abu Yohanna, Terem Moffi, Rafiu Durosinmi, and Femi Azeez.

For the friendlies against Poland and Portugal, the squad features goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Arthur Okonkwo, and Francis Uzoho. Defenders include Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, and Emmanuel Fernandez. Midfielders are Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Alhassan Yusuf. Forwards called up are Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen, and Terem Moffi.

Arsenal icon David Seaman has expressed confidence that Mikel Arteta’s side can secure a historic double by winning the Champions League title, fresh off their Premier League success. The north London outfit clinched the domestic crown on Tuesday evening when Bournemouth held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium, with Erling Haaland’s late equalizer failing to keep the title race alive for City.

Seaman, a legendary goalkeeper for the Gunners, believes the current squad has the mentality to add European glory to their achievements. Reflecting on the upcoming final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, he emphasized that style takes a back seat to results. “It’s all about winning, it’s not how we play,” Seaman stated, while nostalgic for the classic chant of “1-0 to Arsenal,” which he insists still carries a powerful ring.

Arsenal will officially lift the Premier League trophy on Sunday at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace, before shifting focus to the Champions League final scheduled for the following week. The club’s return to the summit of English football after a prolonged drought has reignited hopes of a double, with Seaman’s prediction adding fuel to the optimism surrounding the team.

Sunshine Stars U-19 head coach, Adenike Ayeni, has expressed immense pride in his squad following their remarkable victory over Niger Tornadoes in the President Federation Cup. The young side from Akure delivered a stunning performance to defeat the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) outfit 2-1 in a Round of 64 clash held in Ilorin.

The triumph propels Sunshine Stars into the next phase of the tournament, eliminating the more experienced NPFL team in the process. Despite the elation of the win, Ayeni acknowledged areas needing improvement when his team returns home.

“We are grateful to God for overcoming the NPFL side, but the match exposed some flaws that we must correct before our next fixture,” Ayeni stated, as reported by Karenkossnews. “Back at our base, we will focus on strengthening those aspects of our game.”

The victory has sparked celebrations within the Sunshine Stars camp, but the coach remains grounded, emphasizing the need for continuous development. With the remaining Round of 64 matches scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, Sunshine Stars U-19 will soon discover their opponents in the subsequent round.

Arsenal’s board is preparing to elevate Mikel Arteta into the upper echelons of football’s highest earners through a lucrative contract extension. The proposed deal, as reported by Mail Sport, would significantly boost his current remuneration and place him alongside the game’s elite managerial figures.

The trajectory for Arteta’s pay hike was firmly set after he guided the Gunners to their first English top-flight championship in over two decades. The title was clinched on Tuesday evening when Manchester City were held to a draw by Bournemouth, sparking celebrations at the Emirates.

Arteta’s existing terms were due to expire next summer, but negotiations for a new agreement have reached an advanced stage. His new salary is expected to see a substantial increase, with reports indicating the Arsenal hierarchy is ready to compensate him at a level that reflects his recent success.

Currently, Diego Simeone is recognized as football’s highest-paid manager, earning around £26 million annually at Atletico Madrid. Arteta’s new package is rumored to approach this figure, a massive jump from his current base pay of approximately £10 million per year, plus an additional £5 million for Champions League qualification bonuses.

Pep Guardiola, Arteta’s former mentor at Manchester City, currently earns about £20 million a year. However, with Guardiola set to depart the Etihad this summer, Arteta is poised to become the longest-serving current Premier League manager, a title he will inherit soon.

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has expressed his enthusiasm for facing the Super Eagles once again, ahead of the announcement of Poland’s squad for the upcoming friendly match. According to reports from Polish media, including Gol24, manager Jan Urban is expected to name his team for the friendlies against Ukraine and Nigeria on Tuesday, May 26, just two days before the training camp begins.

Despite Poland’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 37-year-old forward has no plans to retire from international duty. He has assured the coaching staff of his participation in the May training camp. Lewandowski, who led Poland in a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in a pre-World Cup friendly in March 2018, where Victor Moses scored the winning penalty, remains committed to the national team.

“Regarding the June training camp, I will certainly be there,” Lewandowski stated in an interview with Eleven Sports. “Given the circumstances surrounding Jacek Magiera, this camp may be a bit different, as a tribute to the coach. It was important for me to show my desire to attend, to play in these matches, and to say goodbye to him.”

Lewandowski has represented Poland in six major tournaments, including four European Championships (2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024), where he scored six goals, and two World Cups (2018 and 2022), netting twice. Current Super Eagles players such as Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Francis Uzoho, and Moses Simon were part of the Nigerian team that beat Poland eight years ago.

Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts for the first time since the club clinched the Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait. The legendary striker, who was at his prime during Arsenal’s last league triumph, took to social media to express his joy.

Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday confirmed that Mikel Arteta’s side cannot be caught at the top of the table. Henry posted on Instagram: “From Highbury seats to the Emirates – Arsenal Nation, finally we can celebrate. Special thanks to this generation, finally now my kids saw us winning the league. #goonerforlife.”

The Gunners will officially lift the trophy after their final home game against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Henry’s emotional reaction resonated with fans who have waited over two decades for this moment.

William Troost-Ekong has expressed his belief that the Super Eagles will successfully navigate the qualifying rounds for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, as reported by DAILY POST. The Nigerian national team has been placed in Group L alongside Madagascar, co-hosts Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau.

Despite acknowledging that these opponents are often considered underdogs, Troost-Ekong remains confident that his side can overcome the challenge. He stated, ‘The group is not straightforward, but I have faith in the team to secure the necessary results.’ The defender, who previously captained the Super Eagles, shared his thoughts with CAFonline.

Nigeria will commence their qualification campaign at home against Madagascar’s Barea in September. Under the guidance of coach Éric Chelle, the team finished third in the most recent AFCON tournament held in Morocco.

Nigerian Afro-house star Niniola Apata has shared the heartbreaking news of her husband Michael Ndika’s passing. The Grammy-nominated singer took to her Instagram story on Wednesday morning to express her grief.

Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform dedicated to Afro-house and contemporary African music. The cause of his death remains undisclosed.

In her emotional posts, Niniola wrote, “God took him” and “My husband died.” She also added, “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years,” accompanied by photos of the couple.

The 39-year-old artist has always kept her personal life private, and she has not provided further details about the circumstances of his death.

Niniola rose to fame after participating in Project Fame West Africa in 2013. She later became a leading figure in the Afro-house genre, with her 2017 song Maradona gaining international acclaim and catching the attention of global stars like DJ Snake, Drake, Timbaland, and Beyoncé.

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has shared an intimate glimpse into her emotional journey during her time at Mavin Records. In a candid interview on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast with Joey Akan, she revealed that she often sought refuge in the personal space of label boss Don Jazzy whenever she faced challenges.

Reflecting on her years with Mavin, Savage admitted she never fully understood how crucial a caring record label environment is for an artist’s mental stability until she moved on. While signed to Mavin, she would gather with Don Jazzy and fellow acts in his room, sitting on the floor or bed, and openly discuss online controversies or personal struggles. She felt free to cry and receive support, which helped her navigate difficult periods.

Since leaving Mavin in 2019 and joining Universal Music Group, Savage has noticed a stark contrast. With her new international label, she emphasized that there is little concern for her personal affairs. She remarked that walking into the Empire office to cry is simply not an option, and she deeply misses the familial atmosphere she once had.

Savage underscored the importance for artists to evaluate whether a prospective label genuinely cares about their wellbeing or views them merely as revenue generators. She joined Mavin in 2012 and spent seven years there, leaving in 2019. Despite the departure, she continues to regard Mavin as family.

The singer’s revelations highlight a broader conversation about the emotional support systems within the music industry. Her experience underscores how a label can either uplift or isolate an artist during turbulent times.