Author: Gabby

In a significant development for Nigerian football, Brentford defender Michael Kayode has publicly declared his commitment to representing the Italian national team at the senior level. The 21-year-old right-back, who was born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents, has previously featured for Italy’s youth squads but remained eligible for the Super Eagles until his recent announcement.

Speaking to Tuttosport, Kayode expressed his unwavering dedication to the Azzurri. He stated that his priority has always been Italy, emphasizing that he grew up wearing the blue jersey during his youth career. The former Fiorentina player confidently noted that he has no doubts about his decision and hopes to earn his first senior cap as soon as possible.

Kayode is expected to be named in Italy’s squad for their upcoming international friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece in June. This move closes the door on Nigeria’s chances of securing his services, despite the Super Eagles’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their defensive options.

The defender’s decision is a blow to Nigerian football, which has often sought to attract dual-nationality players. However, Kayode’s strong ties to Italy, where he was born and developed his football career, ultimately guided his choice.

Fatima Oloko, the shot-stopper for Abia Angels, has voiced her belief that her team can make a strong impression in the upcoming Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six playoffs. The Umuahia-based club earned their spot in the competition alongside Robo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons from Conference B, while Rivers Angels, Edo Queens, and defending champions Bayelsa Queens qualified from Conference A.

Oloko emphasized that the squad will enter each match with focus and resolve, treating every game as a final. Speaking after the regular season concluded, she noted that despite not being tipped as favorites to advance, the team is determined to give their all. “We are preparing for the Super Six tournament. We were not expected to qualify, but we will go there and compete wholeheartedly. Each game will be approached as if it’s our last, and we will accept whatever outcome comes,” she stated.

The goalkeeper’s confidence reflects the underdog spirit of Abia Angels, who have defied expectations to reach this stage. With the playoff tournament set to feature top sides from both conferences, Oloko’s leadership between the posts could be crucial for the Angels’ ambitions.

Former England international Jay Bothroyd has expressed strong confidence that Arsenal will claim the Premier League crown this season. Speaking on Sky Sports, the ex-striker emphasized that the Gunners are in a commanding position to finish at the top. With only two matches remaining, Arsenal leads Manchester City by two points. According to Bothroyd, the likelihood of Arsenal lifting the league trophy stands at an impressive 95%.

However, Bothroyd is less optimistic about Arsenal’s chances of securing a double. When asked about the upcoming Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, he highlighted the difficulty of the task. He pointed out that PSG’s recent clean sheet against Bayern Munich underscores their defensive solidity. Bothroyd also praised the attacking trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué, noting their relentless pressing and exceptional quality.

“If Arsenal play at their best, they can win the final,” Bothroyd admitted. “But PSG’s work rate and talent make them a formidable opponent. That’s why I find it hard to predict Arsenal will win the Champions League.” He concluded that while the league title seems all but secured, the European trophy remains a tougher challenge for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Following an emphatic 4-2 triumph over Liverpool on Friday night, Aston Villa has clinched a place in the Champions League. The victory propelled Unai Emery’s squad to 62 points, two clear of Liverpool with just one fixture remaining.

Ollie Watkins netted twice, and John McGinn added a stunning late strike as Villa completely outplayed the defending champions. The win guarantees Villa’s participation in the league phase of next season’s elite European competition.

They will join Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United as Premier League representatives in the Champions League. Villa now has an additional incentive: they face Freiburg in the Europa League final next week. If they win that match, they would have secured automatic qualification anyway, but their league result ensures their spot regardless.

Interestingly, if Villa had not already qualified through the league, a Europa League victory would have given them the berth, and the sixth-place Premier League team would have taken the extra spot. But as it stands, Villa’s stunning form under Emery has rewarded them with a top-four finish.

In a candid interview with The Beat FM Lagos, Nigerian rapper Ice Prince Zamani opened up about his natural weight loss journey and his future aspirations. The ‘Oleku’ hitmaker firmly stated that his transformation was achieved without the aid of Ozempic or any other medication, emphasizing it was purely organic.

Beyond discussing his fitness, Ice Prince dropped a bombshell regarding his music career. He suggested that his upcoming album might be his swansong, signaling a potential retirement from the industry. The artist revealed that he plans to settle down and get married once he reaches the age of 40, which is approximately three years away.

However, the rapper clarified that he is not currently on the lookout for a partner. Instead, he is focused on pursuing his ambitions. “I didn’t use any drugs for my weight loss; it was all natural. To be honest, I feel like this next album will be my last. In about three years, I’ll be 40, and hopefully by then, I intend to get married,” he stated. He added that his current priority is achieving his goals, leaving romance for later.

In a recent episode of the BTS Reality podcast, Nollywood actress and producer Sandra Okunzuwa declared that YouTube filmmakers are now offering higher pay to actors than traditional cinema productions. She emphasized that the days of low compensation in Nigeria’s movie industry, particularly on digital platforms, are over.

According to Okunzuwa, some actors are commanding fees as high as N5 million for just four days of shooting on YouTube projects. “The notion that actors are poorly paid is outdated—at least when it comes to online content,” she stated.

She explained that while cinema and Netflix may have once dominated, YouTube has emerged as a lucrative avenue where talent is well rewarded. “Actors on YouTube are earning top dollar. Some charge between N4 million and N5 million for a four-day shoot, which is more than what you’d get from a cinema movie,” she added.

Her comments highlight a shifting dynamic in Nollywood, where digital platforms like YouTube are increasingly becoming major players, offering competitive compensation that challenges traditional film models. This trend suggests that the intersection of streaming and independent production is reshaping how Nigerian actors are valued.

Veteran Nigerian musician Sunny Neji has shared his perspective on why female fans, particularly married women, are often attracted to artists who specialize in love songs. In a recent conversation with Yanga FM in Lagos, Neji addressed the ongoing buzz surrounding a well-known Nigerian singer’s rumored involvement with the spouse of a media personality—a situation that allegedly played a role in the couple’s separation.

Neji explained that it’s only natural for married women to feel drawn to performers whose music revolves around romance and relationships. He emphasized that this attraction is a normal human response and not something to be condemned. However, the veteran artist stressed that the responsibility lies with the musicians themselves to maintain discipline and avoid crossing ethical boundaries.

According to Neji, the key is self-control. He stated that while the initial pull toward romantic singers is inevitable, artists must make conscious choices to steer clear of inappropriate entanglements. He urged his colleagues in the music industry to prioritize integrity and remember the impact of their actions on families and their own careers.

Adekunle Gold, the acclaimed Afrobeats artist, has publicly praised his wife, Simi, as the most exceptional songwriter in Nigeria’s music scene.

In a recent conversation with Angela Yee, Gold asserted that Simi’s songwriting skills are unmatched. He shared his experiences working with numerous talented lyricists, but emphasized that Simi stands apart with her unique ability.

Gold explained that Simi’s creative process is extraordinary, noting she can craft up to ten different songs on a single instrumental. He contrasted her approach with other artists who typically settle on the first idea that fits a beat. For Simi, the challenge is choosing from multiple exceptional versions. He revealed that even for her hit ‘Duduke’, she wrote three distinct versions before settling on the final one.

“Nobody writes songs like Simi. Her capacity to generate multiple high-quality songs from one beat is unlike anything I’ve witnessed. It’s truly one of a kind,” Gold stated.

Nigerian Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has shared a deeply personal account of his battle with sickle cell disease, revealing that he once prayed for death during a severe crisis in his youth. In a candid conversation with media host Angela Yee, the singer discussed the stigma surrounding his condition and the intense pain he endured.

The ‘Orente’ hitmaker expressed that people often view him as fragile, assuming he might not survive long after learning about his health status. He recounted a harrowing experience at age 20 when the pain became unbearable, leading him to ask God to end his life. Surprisingly, his mother—who typically scolded him for such prayers—remained silent that night, indicating the severity of the situation.

Reflecting on that moment, Adekunle Gold admitted that even his mother refrained from rebuking him because the agony was so extreme. Despite the dark period, he now feels grateful and resilient, acknowledging his strength to keep fighting the condition. The singer’s story sheds light on the physical and emotional toll of sickle cell disease, emphasizing the importance of awareness and support for those living with it.

Nollywood actress and producer Sandra Okunzuwa has opened up about a past relationship that ended because her ex-boyfriend could not handle seeing her kiss a co-star on screen.

During a candid interview on the BTS Reality podcast, Okunzuwa explained that her ex ended things after someone forwarded him a clip from one of her films where she shared an onscreen kiss with a male actor. She described his reaction as stemming from insecurity, noting that there is nothing romantic about kissing on set.

“When actors kiss while filming, there are about 20 crew members watching, the director is giving instructions, and the air conditioning is turned off. The environment is completely unglamorous, so no one could possibly feel turned on in such conditions,” she said.

Okunzuwa stressed that onscreen kisses are far from enjoyable and that she would support removing them from movies if audiences would still appreciate the stories. She added that romantic scenes often create tension in actors’ personal relationships because partners can become jealous. “I lost a relationship because someone sent my ex a scene of me kissing an actor. At the time, I felt it was due to his insecurity. But honestly, it’s not easy. I don’t blame people who say they can’t date actors—everyone has to decide what they can tolerate in a partner,” she stated.

The actress urged fans to remember that actors are portraying characters, not themselves, and that it is crucial to separate private life from professional work.