Category: Entertainment

The Abia State Government has lauded the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) side Abia Angels for their outstanding debut in the Super Six playoff tournament. Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, delivered the commendation following the conclusion of the competition.

Abia Angels secured the fourth spot in the tournament standings, accumulating a total of five points. Ananaba expressed his contentment with the team’s display throughout the event, highlighting their determination and skill. “I must commend the players, coaches, and officials for their resilience throughout the games they played. They showed class, and I am hopeful they will get even better next season,” he stated in Port-Harcourt.

In the overall championship, Edo Queens emerged as the victors of the 2025-26 NWFL season, claiming the prestigious title.

Spanish midfielder Rodri has voiced his frustration with Cape Verde’s negative game plan following a goalless draw in their World Cup Group opener on Monday. The Manchester City star accused the African side of showing no ambition to progress beyond their own half, opting instead to defend deep throughout the match.

“It wasn’t meant to be. There’s little to complain about,” Rodri told La 1 after the final whistle. “We knew patience would be key. They sat back and retreated very quickly. We created opportunities but failed to convert them. The positive takeaway is that they barely threatened us. We need to sharpen our finishing.”

This result leaves Spain with a point as they prepare to face Saudi Arabia in their next group stage fixture this weekend. The draw highlights the challenges that top teams face against disciplined defensive setups, a recurring theme in World Cup openers.

Equatorial Guinea’s Malabo United has set its sights on Yemi Olanrewaju, the assistant coach of Nigeria’s Rivers United, as part of a major technical team overhaul ahead of the upcoming season. Reports indicate that the club views the young Nigerian tactician as a prime candidate to bolster their coaching staff.

Olanrewaju has built a strong reputation in Nigerian football through his previous roles at MFM FC and Enyimba, earning him widespread recognition within the domestic league. His expertise is now drawing attention from abroad as Malabo United seeks to strengthen its backroom setup.

The coach is currently weighing the offer against his ongoing commitment to Rivers United, where he played a key role in their runner-up finish in the 2025-26 NPFL season under Rangers. The NPFL side is expected to initiate discussions to retain him amidst the foreign interest.

Malabo United has yet to make a formal public statement regarding the specifics of their proposal. Both clubs anticipate providing updates once Olanrewaju reaches a decision on his next career move.

Manchester United’s Harry Maguire has detailed the unusual method England manager Thomas Tuchel used to inform him of his exclusion from the 2026 World Cup squad. The 33-year-old defender, who has 66 international caps, revealed that Tuchel contacted each omitted player via FaceTime, a personal but awkward approach that allowed the coach to witness their reactions firsthand.

Speaking on Gary Lineker’s Rest is Football World Cup podcast, Maguire explained that he received a text message asking if Tuchel could speak with him around 4 pm. During the call, Maguire expressed his disappointment, stating that he believed he had done enough to earn a place in the squad following a strong finish to the season with Manchester United under Michael Carrick. He felt he could contribute both on and off the pitch, given his experience in previous major tournaments.

Tuchel justified his decision by explaining that he had chosen to stick with the four defenders who had helped England during the autumn international break. Maguire admitted the conversation was difficult to accept, especially after he had performed well in the March camp under Tuchel and returned to his club to finish the season strongly. The defender was not the only notable omission; Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold were also left out of the final 26-man squad.

England are set to begin their World Cup campaign in Group L against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17, followed by matches against Ghana and Panama on June 23 and June 27, respectively. Maguire’s absence marks a significant change in the team’s defensive lineup, as he has been a regular feature in England’s previous tournament squads.

Aberdeen, the Scottish Premiership club, has officially secured the services of Nigerian forward Toyosi Olusunya on a full-time basis. The 28-year-old, who previously played on loan at Pittodrie during the latter half of the previous season, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract.

During his loan spell, Olusunya found the back of the net twice across 16 league appearances for the Dons. Expressing his delight at returning to the club, the striker stated, “I am buzzing to be back. From the moment I arrived in January, I felt welcomed by everyone at the Club. The staff, the players and the supporters all made me feel at home.”

Olusunya is set to join his teammates later this week as Aberdeen kicks off preparations for the 2026/27 campaign. The club’s official website confirmed the announcement, with the player’s excitement palpable as he looks forward to making a significant impact in the upcoming season.

John Obuh, the former head coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, has voiced strong disapproval of the Tunisian Football Federation’s decision to dismiss Sabri Lamouchi as manager of the Carthage Eagles. He argues that removing a coach during a major tournament is ill-advised and lacks logic.

Lamouchi was let go on Monday after Tunisia suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat at the hands of Sweden in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 57-year-old had been in charge for only four matches, during which the team managed just one draw and suffered three losses.

His replacement is Hervé Renard, who previously led Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire. Obuh emphasized that such a mid-tournament change often signals deeper issues. In an interview with Footy Africa, he stated, “I’m not an advocate of making changes in the middle of a tournament; it makes no sense. But decisions like these are usually premeditated. When a federation acts this way, it shows they had doubts before appointing the coach.”

Tunisia now gears up to face Japan in their next World Cup fixture on Sunday.

AC Milan officially announced the appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new head coach on Tuesday. The Portuguese tactician has been without a role since being dismissed by Manchester United in January. He steps in to succeed Max Allegri at the San Siro.

During his introductory remarks, Amorim shared the motivation behind his decision. “There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career, and for me, coaching Milan has always been one of them,” he stated. “I fully understand what AC Milan stands for: history, prestige, and incredible fans all around the globe. This is a challenge I embrace with pride and enthusiasm, fully aware of what these colors mean. I can’t wait to get started and experience the passion that drives Milan every day.”

Nigerian actor Baba Ijesha and celebrity stylist Luminee have announced the birth of their first child, a son named Kagar Omiyinka. The couple shared the happy news on social media, with Luminee taking to Instagram to express their overwhelming joy.

In her heartfelt post, Luminee described the arrival of their baby as a moment that has brought immense happiness and completeness to their lives. She wrote that their little star has finally arrived to illuminate their world, making their family whole.

The proud mother also took the opportunity to praise her husband, calling him a supportive partner throughout their journey to parenthood. She expressed deep gratitude for his unwavering support, noting that his heart is pure and that God has given them more than they ever prayed for. She affectionately referred to him as her strong man and declared her eternal love for him.

Luminee further described the birth of Kagar Omiyinka as a special privilege and a remarkable gift. She expressed thankfulness for the opportunity to embrace motherhood and for the blessing of their new family member.

The organisers of the Headies Awards have confirmed that the prestigious music event will once again be held outside Nigeria, with Toronto, Canada, selected as the host city for its 18th edition. During a press conference at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, founder Ayo Animashaun revealed that the decision was driven by financial considerations.

This marks the second time the awards will be held abroad, following the 15th edition in Atlanta in 2022. The 17th edition returned to Lagos in 2025, but now the ceremony is moving abroad again.

Animashaun addressed critics who questioned the move, stating that the alternative—cancelling the awards entirely—would be less sensible. To ensure Nigerian fans can still participate, a live watch party will be held simultaneously in Lagos, allowing local audiences to enjoy parts of the ceremony as it unfolds in Canada.

“How do we fund it? We will have a watch party in Lagos,” Animashaun explained, emphasizing the economic rationale behind the relocation. The hybrid format aims to maintain the awards’ connection to its Nigerian roots while leveraging international opportunities.

Nicki Minaj has opened up about the invisible battles she faced behind the scenes, alleging that shadowy figures in the music industry can render talented artists ‘almost invisible’ when they refuse to comply with unspoken demands. In a candid interview on The Bryce Crawford Podcast, the rapper disclosed that the industry is controlled by powerful individuals who view musicians as mere assets to generate revenue. She claimed that these unnamed forces actively sabotage those who do not align with their expectations.

Minaj shared that her refusal to follow their rules led to a ‘constant spiritual warfare.’ She explained that if she had realized earlier how deeply spiritual the music business is, she would have come far more prepared. ‘I felt like I brought a knife to a gunfight,’ she remarked, describing the overwhelming nature of the challenges she encountered. Her comments shed light on the darker side of fame and the pressures artists often endure to maintain their careers.