Category: Entertainment

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has issued a passionate appeal to fans, urging them to back the national team, the Warriors, as they prepare for the Unity Cup. The tournament is set to feature a highly anticipated semi-final clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Scheduled for Tuesday, 26 May at The Valley in London, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter. The victorious side will advance to the final on Saturday, 31 May, where they will meet either India or Jamaica.

Head coach Kaitano Tembo announced his 24-player roster for this friendly invitational event on Tuesday. The squad is eager to showcase their talent on an international stage.

In a statement released on its official X account, ZIFA emphasized the importance of fan support. “A night of pride, passion and African football excellence awaits as Zimbabwe’s finest take centre stage in the UK,” the statement read. “Diaspora family, this is your moment to rally behind the Warriors and paint The Valley in Zimbabwean colours.”

The football association is encouraging supporters to don the national colors and create an electric atmosphere that will inspire the team to victory.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has shared his forecasts for the upcoming Premier League matchday 37 encounters, which span from Friday to Tuesday. The predictions cover a range of high-stakes games featuring top clubs.

Kicking off the round, Aston Villa hosts Liverpool at Villa Park on Friday night. Merson believes the home side will edge a 2-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Manchester United welcomes Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford on Sunday. The pundit sees a 2-1 win for the Red Devils. Meanwhile, Brentford is tipped to beat Crystal Palace 2-0, and Leeds United is predicted to share a 2-2 draw with Brighton.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to lose 0-2 to Fulham, while Everton is backed to defeat Sunderland 2-0. Newcastle United is forecasted to overcome West Ham United 2-0.

On Tuesday, Arsenal faces Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. Merson anticipates a comfortable 3-0 triumph for the Gunners. In a critical clash, Bournemouth is predicted to hold Manchester City to a 1-1 draw.

The standout fixture sees Chelsea taking on Tottenham Hotspur. The former Arsenal star expects Chelsea to secure a 2-0 victory in this London derby.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shed light on his strategy to address the void left by injured defenders Jurrien Timber and Ben White at right-back. With Timber still on the recovery path and White ruled out for the season after picking up an injury in the narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham, the Gunners are facing a crucial period with both Premier League and Champions League commitments looming.

One name that has emerged as a potential solution is center-back Cristhian Mosquera, who has prior experience in the right-back role. When asked whether Mosquera could fill the gap, Arteta emphasized the need for flexibility. Speaking to Football London, he stated, “There are different options depending on the opponent and the tactical approach we want to take. We cannot rely on just one player; we must have two or three alternatives because situations can change rapidly during a match. Injuries can happen, so we need to be adaptable.”

The Spaniard further explained that the team has faced similar challenges throughout the season and has consistently found ways to maintain high performance. “We’ve had issues in various positions before, and we’ve managed to adapt. I’m confident we’ll do the same now,” Arteta added. The Gunners will need to quickly finalize their defensive setup as they push for silverware on multiple fronts.

Contrary to recent social media speculation, Crystal Palace will not receive any additional financial benefit from Eberechi Eze’s transfer to Arsenal if the Gunners clinch the Premier League title. Reports from Football.london clarify that the move, completed in August 2025 for an initial fee of £67.5 million, includes only £7.5 million in add-ons, none of which are tied to winning the league championship.

Fans had circulated claims that Palace could earn up to £10 million in bonuses should Arsenal secure the title at Selhurst Park on May 24. However, these rumors are unfounded. The add-ons in the deal are linked to other performance-related criteria that were considered achievable by Palace when the agreement was finalized.

Eze’s transfer involved his previous release clause of £67.5 million, which had expired before Tottenham and Arsenal stepped up their interest. Arsenal’s swift action and willingness to match the clause value won the race for the England international. Additionally, Eze’s personal attachment to the club he supported as a child and where he spent time in the youth setup before being released at 13 played a key role in his decision to join the Gunners.

World record holder Tobi Amusan has once again proven her dominance on the continental stage, securing her third consecutive title in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championship in Accra, Ghana. The Nigerian star expressed deep gratitude to her team and supporters following her victory on Wednesday night.

In a tightly contested race, Amusan crossed the finish line ahead of Zimbabwe’s Ashley Miller, who claimed silver, while compatriot Adaobi Tabugbo took the bronze medal. The win further cements Amusan’s legacy as one of Africa’s premier athletes in the event.

Taking to social media, the 29-year-old shared her emotions, writing, “African Champion x3. Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues.”

With her latest triumph, Amusan now sets her sights on the Shanghai Golden League meeting in China, scheduled for this weekend. She remains determined to add more medals to her collection for Nigeria, signaling that her pursuit of glory is far from over.

In the race for the Premier League crown, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has emphasized that his squad’s primary focus is on securing victories rather than fixating on goal difference. Speaking to the press on Thursday, Arteta acknowledged that while scoring goals could prove crucial, it is not the central aspect of their strategy.

Following Manchester City’s commanding 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, their goal difference moved to +43, just one ahead of Arsenal’s. The two teams are set to face challenging opponents in their remaining fixtures, with City taking on Bournemouth and Aston Villa, while Arsenal will go up against Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Arteta remarked, ‘First we have to earn the right to win the game. Obviously if you can make a difference with more goals, that’s even better. But we all play really tough matches. We had a really tough match against West Ham and managed to win it, and it was a great feeling. But we know ideally that scoring goals is going to be important.’

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Mr. Ossai Success, has voiced his disappointment over the online ridicule directed at Pastor Jerry Eze following the demise of Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo.

As earlier reported by DAILY POST, the cleric faced a barrage of criticism after a photo showing him praying for the late actor resurfaced on social media platforms. Critics questioned why the pastor’s prayers failed to heal Ekubo, who had been battling cancer for an extended period before passing away on Tuesday.

In response, Ossai took to his official Facebook page to assert that divine healing remains a reality for believers. He wrote: “I am deeply let down by those who are mocking Pastor Jerry Eze for praying over Alex Ekubo, simply because he eventually succumbed to cancer.”

He added, “Whether you accept it or not, God continues to perform healings and miracles. Do not mock your way to ruin. Just because Alex received prayers does not guarantee he would not die. God alone knows what is best.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has sounded a warning for Arsenal ahead of the Champions League final, describing Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the finest winger currently playing.

Murphy, who also represented Fulham during his playing days, expects Arsenal to deploy Cristhian Mosquera at right-back if Jurrien Timber is not fully fit for the clash. Mosquera, a natural center-half, may find it tough against the Georgian international.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Murphy acknowledged the challenge: “It doesn’t bear thinking about, does it?” regarding the prospect of facing Kvaratskhelia. He added that Mosquera is a defender with pace who can play at right-back, position himself well, and compete one-on-one. “It’s not the end of the world, but it’s not ideal,” Murphy said.

“He is currently the best winger in the world. He has incredible physicality and strength, combined with a sharp football brain: he knows when to release the ball quickly and when to hold onto it, and he can go past players.” Murphy also highlighted the Georgian’s ability to play on either flank, noting PSG’s versatility with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue also able to switch sides. “It’s a massive test for Arsenal; they will need an outstanding performance to win on the night,” he concluded.

Jose Mourinho’s move back to Real Madrid is reportedly in its advanced stages, with negotiations between the Portuguese manager and the LaLiga giants intensifying. According to reliable sources, Mourinho, currently at Benfica, is on the brink of sealing a return to the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of next season.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano shared via social media that discussions have been constructive, though the final green light from club president Florentino Perez is still pending. Romano noted that the deal might be influenced by upcoming presidential elections at Real Madrid, but Mourinho remains eager and prepared for the challenge.

The 63-year-old tactician is poised to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over as interim coach following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal in January. Mourinho’s second stint at the Spanish capital aims to bring stability and success to a team that has faced managerial upheaval this campaign.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shed light on his decision to bench star players Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. The Catalan tactician made six alterations to his starting lineup for the midweek fixture.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola emphasized the need to rotate his squad due to a grueling schedule. He noted that the team would be traveling to London for an FA Cup final against Chelsea, followed by a trip to Bournemouth, who are in excellent form.

Guardiola stated that he trusts every player in his squad, regardless of whether they start or not. He acknowledged that decisions are often judged based on results, but he remains committed to making choices he believes are best for the team.

The Manchester City boss also highlighted the challenges of travel and recovery, pointing out that Chelsea will have had a full week to prepare for the cup final while City have just three days between matches.