Category: Entertainment

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has advised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta against selecting Jurrien Timber for the Champions League final. Despite labeling the Dutchman as the league’s finest right-back, Reo-Coker expressed concerns over his match sharpness after a lengthy absence.

Speaking after Arsenal secured their spot in the final with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid, Reo-Coker questioned whether Timber could be thrown straight into such a high-stakes match. “That’s a huge decision. He’s been sidelined for so long—can you really start him in a Champions League final?” he remarked on CBS Sports.

Reo-Coker emphasized the importance of rhythm and fitness over individual quality. “At this stage, with players who are fit and in form, I don’t believe Timber should be considered given his extended layoff. He is undoubtedly the top right-back in the Premier League, and I’m not questioning his ability. But in a Champions League final, you need momentum and match fitness,” he added.

The Chairman of Shooting Stars, Honorable Taiwo Lekan Salami, has affirmed the team’s commitment to pushing for a continental competition berth this season. The Ibadan-based club currently holds fourth place in the Nigeria Professional Football League standings.

Speaking to the club’s official media, Salami expressed confidence that the Oluyole Warriors can achieve their goal. “We are determined to stay focused and keep pushing. We believe we can secure another victory when we face Barau FC,” Salami stated.

He further noted that in their final away match against Niger Tornadoes in Minna, the squad will show their warrior spirit and fight for every point. The chairman stressed the importance of hard work and belief in the team’s ability to finish among the top spots.

According to DAILY POST, only the top two teams qualify for the CAF Champions League, while the third-place finisher earns a spot in the Confederation Cup. With just two matches remaining, every point is crucial for Shooting Stars.

Former Manchester United star Michael Owen has voiced his dissatisfaction with Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres despite the Gunners’ Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid. Speaking on talkSPORT, Owen claimed the Swedish international has failed to make a significant impact since his move to the Emirates.

Owen drew comparisons between Gyokeres and some of Europe’s elite forwards, including Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane, suggesting the Arsenal man is not in their league. According to Owen, Gyokeres has not ‘set the place on fire’ and has been underwhelming.

The former England international acknowledged that Arsenal have capable options like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, but insisted none of them match the quality of the top strikers currently dominating the game. ‘They have Havertz, who I rate highly, and Gyokeres and Jesus, but none are the Haaland, Mbappe, or Kane that everyone wants,’ Owen said.

Owen’s comments come after Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg, securing their place in the final. Despite the team’s success, the spotlight remains on their striking options, with critics questioning whether they have a world-class number nine.

Inter Lagos secured a convincing 2-0 victory against Ranchers Bees during their second match in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four playoff on Wednesday.

The early-season favorites had suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Doma United in their opening fixture, making this win crucial for their hopes.

Ranchers Bees, meanwhile, experienced their second consecutive loss in the competition, leaving them in a precarious position.

The breakthrough came just two minutes into the second half when Qoyum Akinpelu unleashed a powerful strike that flew past the goalkeeper, giving Inter Lagos the lead.

In the 70th minute, Akinpelu was fouled inside the penalty area, earning a spot-kick. Captain Bayo Oyedele stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, doubling their advantage and sealing the win.

Inter Lagos now turn their attention to their final group game on Friday against Sporting Lagos, a match that could determine their path to promotion.

Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the Champions League final after a tense 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night, ensuring a 6-5 aggregate victory. The reigning champions will now face Arsenal in the title decider in Budapest on May 30.

Unlike the high-scoring first leg, which ended 5-4 to PSG, this encounter was a cautious affair. Ousmane Dembele gave PSG an early lead, firing in a low cross from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia past Manuel Neuer inside the first five minutes. Bayern pushed for an equalizer but struggled to break down a disciplined PSG defense. Harry Kane finally leveled in the dying minutes, but it was not enough to overturn the aggregate deficit.

The result means PSG will defend their crown against Arsenal, who booked their final spot by defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate. This marks Arsenal’s first Champions League final appearance in two decades.

Veteran Nollywood actor Roy De Nani has opened up about the harsh realities he faced in the film industry and the personal tragedies that have marked his life. In a candid interview on the ‘Where is the Lie’ podcast, he disclosed that he was once effectively blacklisted from acting jobs, with a powerful figure instructing that he should never be hired again. According to De Nani, even when he had secured a recording, producers would intervene and halt the project, leaving him struggling for years.

Beyond his professional woes, De Nani shared the emotional devastation of losing his brother, noting that no fellow actor or actress offered support during that dark time. He stated, ‘When my brother passed away, not a single person from Nollywood came to see me.’ The actor then revealed an even more tragic chapter: the loss of both his son and daughter due to financial constraints. His children had sickle cell disorder and required regular blood transfusions, but he could not afford the life-saving procedures. ‘I lost my son and daughter because there was no money to buy blood for their transfusions,’ he recounted.

De Nani expressed disappointment in the Nollywood community for not stepping in to help during his time of need. He remarked, ‘The industry never came to my aid. It’s not that they don’t care, but perhaps they haven’t been touched by my story. Let me put it that way.’

Nollywood veteran Dele Odule recently made a startling revelation during an emotional interview with Feelright TV. The seasoned actor disclosed that he had once actively sought out and priced a casket for himself during a period of profound despair.

According to Odule, his colleague Olaiya Igwe accompanied him on that grim errand. Igwe, overwhelmed by the situation, broke down and wept like a child. Odule clarified that he was not physically ill at the time but was consumed by a sense of hopelessness regarding his career. He felt that he had reached a dead end in the industry, with no prospects for success or recognition.

He expressed frustration that his former schoolmates had achieved far greater accomplishments, while his own life seemed devoid of meaning. This sense of failure drove him to contemplate the end of his life, leading him to price a casket.

Dele Odule, who began his acting journey in the 1970s, gained widespread fame in 1993 after starring in the classic Yoruba film ‘Ti Oluwa Nile’. His honest account sheds light on the mental health struggles that even celebrated entertainers can face.

Controversial singer Speed Darlington has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s push for a second term, pointing to the country’s dire economic conditions. In a video posted on Instagram Wednesday, the artist questioned Tinubu’s qualifications, citing failed policies, structural issues, economic missteps, and rising insecurity.

Darlington argued that Tinubu’s first term has been a disaster, and a second term would bring even more suffering. ‘You’re not qualified to be president again. Your second term will be hellfire for Nigerians,’ he said. He specifically slammed the removal of fuel subsidy, noting that it has fueled inflation and hardship.

The singer also highlighted Tinubu’s failure to address insecurity, saying, ‘You haven’t done anything about the rising insecurity across Nigeria.’ He concluded that Tinubu does not deserve another chance to lead the country.

Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak has conceded that Arsenal fully merited their place in the Champions League final following his team’s elimination on Tuesday night. The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory over the Spanish side, courtesy of an early first-half goal from Bukayo Saka, which proved sufficient to end their two-decade wait for a final appearance.

Oblak, whose error inadvertently gifted Saka the goal, acknowledged that Mikel Arteta’s side were the superior outfit over both legs. Speaking to the media post-match, the Slovenian echoed his manager Diego Simeone’s sentiment that Arsenal were the better team across the tie.

“The team that wins is always the best. They won, so congratulations to them. Naturally, we feel disappointment and frustration, but that is football,” Oblak stated. He added that Atletico showed too much respect in the first half and were hesitant to play their natural game. “The second period was better. Maybe we showed them too much respect initially and were scared to play. It improved later, but it wasn’t enough to reach the final. It is unfortunate for us and we are disappointed, but that is life. Arsenal were superior, and they are in the final.”

Arsenal etched their name into the Champions League history books on Tuesday, setting a series of remarkable records following their 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the semi-final second leg. Bukayo Saka’s decisive strike propelled the Gunners into the final for the first time since 2006, ending a 20-year wait. According to OptaJoe, this marks the longest gap between European Cup/Champions League final appearances for an English club since Liverpool’s 20-year hiatus in 2005.

Moreover, the north London side became the first team to remain unbeaten through their opening 14 matches of a single Champions League campaign, a feat no other club has achieved. They also matched their all-time club record for wins in a season, having now secured 41 victories across all competitions—a tally previously reached only in the 1970-71 campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s squad will now await the winner of the other semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, as they prepare to compete for European glory. The historic night at the Emirates Stadium not only secured their spot in the final but also underscored Arsenal’s resilience and tactical discipline under Arteta.