Category: Entertainment

Omar Artan, a highly regarded football referee from Somalia, was prevented from entering the United States at Miami International Airport. The incident occurred just days before the 2026 World Cup, where Artan was scheduled to officiate matches.

While US authorities have not officially stated the reason for the denial, Somalia is among the nations listed in a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration. Artan reportedly held a valid visa for the US, making the rejection particularly surprising.

Ciise Aden Abshir, a former captain of Somalia’s national football team and a senior advisor to the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, expressed strong support for Artan. In a statement to AFP, Abshir described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees and called on the global football community to stand with him.

Abshir added that blocking Artan from entering the country not only hurts him personally but also goes against football’s core values of fairness, merit, and fair play. Artan, who had been staying in Istanbul, has now returned there after being denied entry.

The incident has sparked debate about the intersection of sports and political policies, with critics arguing that travel restrictions should not interfere with international sporting events. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, is set to begin soon, and the absence of a key official due to immigration issues has raised concerns.

The Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, has been dealt a significant blow as defender Igoh Ogbu is expected to be out of action for a prolonged period. According to reports, the center-back suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a training session with the squad in Lisbon.

The injury occurred on Saturday, and the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, confirmed the development on Sunday. Ogbu is scheduled to undergo a scan to determine the full extent of the damage. Initial assessments suggest that the 26-year-old could be sidelined for at least nine months, as per SCORENigeria.

Ogbu had been an active participant in recent fixtures, featuring in the invitational Unity Cup in London and the friendly match against Poland, which ended in a 2-2 draw. He was also part of the Super Eagles’ roster for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This injury comes as a major setback for both the player and the team, as they continue their preparations for upcoming competitions.

In a candid revelation on the podcast Keeping It Real With Jima, music mogul Don Jazzy shared how he dealt with the sting of teenage rejection. The Mavin Records founder admitted that during his secondary school years, he faced constant rejection from female classmates because of his appearance. This left a lasting emotional scar, even as he rose to fame.

Determined to overcome the trauma, Don Jazzy chose an unconventional path: after achieving success, he sought out the very girls who had turned him down. He acknowledged that the rejections had deeply impacted his self-esteem, but instead of letting bitterness fester, he decided to confront his past head-on.

Upon finding his former schoolmates, he discovered that most were already married. Rather than feeling disappointed, the experience proved therapeutic. “Seeing how far I had come helped me heal,” he reflected. The encounter allowed him to reclaim his sense of worth, knowing that his achievements spoke louder than any adolescent slight.

Don Jazzy’s story is a powerful testament to resilience. By facing his past insecurities, he transformed what could have been a source of pain into a moment of personal growth. His journey from rejection to triumph underscores the idea that success is the ultimate vindication.

American singer and rapper Melissa Viviane Jefferson, widely known as Lizzo, recently opened up about the reasons behind her shrinking fanbase. In response to a fan’s observation that her audience has dwindled over the past two years, she pointed to the industry’s transition from radio to streaming as a key factor.

Lizzo described herself as a ‘radio darling,’ noting that the majority of her listeners first encountered her music through traditional radio broadcasts. With the rapid shift toward streaming platforms, she believes many of those fans were lost. Additionally, she mentioned that her career has faced deliberate attacks from saboteurs, which has compounded the issue.

The Grammy-winning artist expressed that she is currently doing everything she can to stay afloat in the evolving music landscape. In her own words, ‘The industry changed so much in the last 3 yrs. streaming replaced radio and I was a radio darling. That’s how my fans discovered my music. Not to mention the very obvious and public attack on my career changed things.’

The music world is mourning the loss of Grammy-winning Nigerian-British artist Talay Riley, whose real name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi. He was tragically killed in a stabbing incident in East London on June 5, 2026.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown around 9 a.m. after reports of a stabbing. Despite the paramedics’ best efforts, the 35-year-old singer was pronounced dead at the location.

Authorities from the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that detectives from the specialist crime command are actively investigating the homicide. The attack, which involved multiple stab wounds, has shocked fans and the music community alike.

Talay Riley, who was born in the UK to Nigerian parents, had achieved significant acclaim in the music industry, including a Grammy award. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes on social media.

Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P from the now-defunct duo P-Square, has clapped back at a fan who suggested he retire from the music industry due to his age. The singer, aged 44, faced criticism from a social media user who felt he was too old to be performing Afrobeats.

The fan, using the X handle OloriOfOloris, commented on a video clip of Mr P’s performance, stating that an almost 50-year-old should not be singing such music and should consider hanging up his microphone. She urged the artist to step away from the spotlight.

However, popular media personality Do2dtun came to Peter Okoye’s defense, arguing that the criticism was baseless and ageist. He pointed out that many internationally acclaimed artists like Celine Dion, Shakira, Beyoncé, and the Backstreet Boys are older than Mr P and continue to make music without such backlash.

In response, Peter Okoye shared Do2dtun’s post and alleged that those calling for his retirement are actually heartbroken fans of the former P-Square group. He accused them of hypocrisy, noting that they celebrate older musicians such as Usher, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown for doing the same thing he is being criticized for.

He wrote, “After all their narratives fell flat, they came up with a new one: that he is too old to sing and dance. Meanwhile, the same people will celebrate and hype Usher, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown for doing exactly the same thing.”

The singer’s defiant response underscores his commitment to his music career, regardless of age critics.

Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Baba or 2Face, has finally acknowledged his son’s graduation following widespread online criticism. The celebrated singer faced backlash for not attending the ceremony in person, prompting him to issue a public congratulations days later.

Justin Idibia, the singer’s son with his former partner Pero Adeniyi, recently completed his high school education at a school in London. Pero shared heartwarming photos from the event on Instagram, expressing immense pride in her son’s achievement. She wrote, “My heart is so full today as I celebrate my son, Justin, on his graduation from high school. Congratulations, Justin! We are incredibly proud of you and excited to see you soar even higher. The future is yours, and I know God has amazing plans for you.”

The post quickly drew reactions from Nigerians who criticized 2Baba for his absence, noting that he has consistently been present in the lives of his children with other women before marrying his current wife, Natasha Osawaru. The criticism intensified over the following days.

In response to the backlash, 2Baba broke his silence by posting on his Instagram story a photo from the graduation and a simple message: “Congratulations son.” The move appeared to be an attempt to quell the growing public disapproval.

In a move that has sent ripples through the football world, veteran defender Pepe is reportedly returning to Real Madrid, this time as an assistant to newly-appointed manager Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese legend, who previously played for the club from 2007 to 2011, will join the coaching staff after retiring as a player in 2024.

Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu was confirmed after Florentino Perez emerged victorious in the club’s presidential elections. It is understood that Perez had already secured an agreement with Benfica to bring back the ‘Special One’ prior to the vote. Now, the 63-year-old tactician will be reunited with a familiar face.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Pepe’s role will focus on several key areas: tightening the team’s defensive structure and mentality, fostering a more cohesive and united dressing room atmosphere, and acting as an essential intermediary between Mourinho and the squad to enhance communication and alignment.

Pepe’s deep understanding of the club’s culture and his strong bond with Mourinho, who also managed him at Real Madrid, could prove invaluable. His appointment signals Perez’s intent to build a robust backroom team capable of restoring Los Blancos to domestic and European glory.

Transfermarkt has refreshed its rankings for the most expensive players in world football, highlighting the top talents across defense, midfield, and attack. The latest valuations show some surprising shifts, with young stars rising rapidly.

At centre-back, Arsenal’s William Saliba tops the chart at €100 million, closely followed by Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi and PSG’s Willian Pacho, both valued at €80 million. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) is next at €75 million, while Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol, Marc Guehi (now at City), and Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano share €70 million each. Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni is worth €65 million, and the list rounds out with Luka Vuskovic (Hamburger SV) and Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) at €60 million.

In central midfield, Barcelona’s Pedri leads at €150 million, ahead of PSG’s Joao Neves (€140 million) and Arsenal’s Declan Rice (€120 million). Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde are both at €90 million, while PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson (€80 million and €75 million) follow. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães are each worth €70 million.

Left wingers see a tie at the top between PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, both at €140 million. RB Leipzig’s Ousmane Diomande is third at €90 million, followed by Juventus’ Kenan Yıldız, Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, and Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha (all €75 million). PSG’s Bradley Barcola, Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz, and Barcelona’s Raphinha are valued at €70 million, with Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon at €55 million.

Attacking midfielders are led by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham (€130 million), then a five-way tie at €100 million: Barcelona’s Fermín López, Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, and Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai. Real Madrid’s Arda Güler, Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers are at €90 million, with Como’s Nico Paz at €80 million.

On the right wing, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is the most valuable player overall at €200 million, followed by Bayern’s Michael Olise (€150 million) and PSG’s Désiré Doué (€120 million). Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is at €110 million, with Chelsea’s Estêvão and Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo both at €80 million. Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye complete the top ten.

In a stunning turn of events at the Nigeria Women Football League Super Six playoffs, debutants Abia Angels pulled off a remarkable 1-0 victory over former champions Rivers Angels in Port Harcourt. The match, which took place on matchday two, saw Winner David score the decisive goal with a header just four minutes before the half-hour mark.

Abia Angels displayed a disciplined defensive performance, complemented by an exceptional goalkeeping display, to secure their first-ever win against the experienced Rivers Angels side. The victory was all the more impressive given that Abia Angels had previously held Bayelsa Queens to a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture.

With four points from two matches, Abia Angels have emerged as serious contenders for the title. Their solid organization and resilience have caught the attention of many, as they continue to defy expectations in their debut NWFL Super Six campaign.

On the other hand, Rivers Angels, who had won their opening game against Robo Queens, now have three points from two matches. The loss serves as a setback for the former champions, but they will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures.