Category: Entertainment

Arsenal have set their sights on Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White as a backup plan for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. The Gunners have been tracking Rogers, who played a key role in Villa’s Europa League triumph last season. However, with competition from Paris Saint-Germain and the potential difficulty of negotiating with a Premier League rival, Mikel Arteta has asked his recruitment team to explore other options. According to reports, the Arsenal boss is determined to strengthen his attacking options after failing to win the Champions League last term. Gibbs-White, known for his creativity and versatility, could be a more attainable target. No official bids have been made yet, and it remains uncertain whether either player will move to the Emirates this summer.

Wikki Tourists have officially informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that six of their players are absent without official leave (AWOL). The Bauchi Elephants disclosed that these individuals failed to attend training and other club-related activities without seeking permission.

The club views this behavior as a significant violation of professional ethics and contractual duties. Repeated efforts to contact the missing players and bring them back to the team were unsuccessful.

The athletes in question are Abdullahi Pepe, Chizoba Okoh, Sani Ibrahim, Abubakar Ibrahim Aliyu, Ibrahim Shuaibu, and Barhama Mansur. None have resumed their responsibilities or provided valid reasons for their absence.

Wikki Tourists emphasized their dedication to maintaining high standards of discipline, professionalism, and performance both on and off the field.

Terem Moffi has expressed his strong desire to guide Nigeria to a triumph against Portugal in the upcoming international friendly. The Super Eagles striker is confident about his role and the team’s potential to secure a positive result.

The match is scheduled to take place at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday. This encounter marks the second time the two nations will face each other, with Portugal having won the previous friendly 4-0 four years ago.

Moffi has been in impressive form for the Super Eagles, finding the net twice in his last two appearances. The 26-year-old forward is well-acquainted with Portuguese football, having spent the latter half of the 2025/26 season on loan at FC Porto.

Speaking to TVC News, Moffi said, “I’ll give my all to lead the team as much as possible. I played in the Portuguese league and won the title with FC Porto, even though I was only there for half a season. I have some knowledge of how the Portuguese national team plays and the style of their players.”

The striker’s familiarity with the opposition could prove beneficial for Nigeria as they aim to avenge their previous defeat. Moffi’s promise of victory underscores his commitment and the squad’s determination to perform well in the friendly.

In a significant move within Nigerian football administration, Barrister Amobi Ezeaku, who serves as the General Manager of Rangers International FC, has tendered his resignation as the Secretary of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Club Owners Association. The announcement was made public on Monday via an official statement.

In his resignation letter, Ezeaku expressed that holding this position was both a great honor and a remarkable privilege. He noted that the role enabled him to collaborate closely with dedicated club owners and administrators who share a common goal of advancing, improving, and ensuring the long-term viability of professional football across Nigeria.

While stepping down from his secretarial duties, Ezeaku emphasized that his departure does not signify a waning of his passion or dedication to the growth of Nigerian football. He remains firmly committed to the sport’s development, albeit in different capacities.

Notably, Ezeaku’s tenure as Secretary coincided with a historic achievement for Rangers International FC. Under his leadership as General Manager, the club clinched a record-equaling ninth NPFL title at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. This feat places them alongside Enyimba International FC, who also boast nine league championships.

In a thrilling encounter at the ongoing Nigeria Women Football League Super Six playoffs in Port Harcourt, Nasarawa Amazons produced a stunning comeback to defeat defending champions Bayelsa Queens 2-1.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both sides creating several clear openings but failing to find the back of the net. The deadlock was broken six minutes after the interval when Chiamaka Ezekwugo put Bayelsa Queens ahead.

However, the Amazons refused to give up. They mounted pressure on the Queens’ defense and were rewarded in the 80th minute when Farikikyen Moses leveled the score. With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Ayatsea Hembafan emerged as the hero, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to seal all three points for Christopher Danjuma’s side.

The victory leaves Nasarawa Amazons with six points from two matches, keeping them firmly in the title race, while Bayelsa Queens have just one point from their two games so far.

Veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji and other prominent figures in Nigeria’s film industry have faced a wave of criticism on social media after leading a solidarity rally for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja. The event, organized by the Re-elect Tinubu For Inclusive Nigeria (RTIFN) movement under the banner “Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria,” aimed to showcase support for the administration’s achievements in infrastructure and security, while also calling for an end to kidnappings across the country.

Orji, who serves as Deputy Director-General of the movement, addressed journalists during the rally and urged Nigerians to back Tinubu’s reform agenda ahead of the 2027 elections. The demonstration followed a large medical outreach program that provided free consultations, treatments, and medications to hundreds of low-income residents.

However, attention quickly shifted from the rally’s message to Orji’s physical appearance. Videos and photos circulating online showed the actor walking slowly and looking frail, sparking a torrent of reactions on X (formerly Twitter). Many users questioned why celebrities were publicly endorsing the administration amid widespread economic hardship and rising insecurity.

One user, @AdenolaOla, wrote: “Nollywood actors declaring Tinubu is fixing Nigeria while millions of Nigerians are eating garri with no sugar and fuel is ₦1,200/litre. Is this ‘fixing’ or paid PR?” Another commenter, @Dammyse, dismissed the rally as “fake support,” alleging that some entertainers were seeking political relevance rather than addressing issues such as inflation and kidnapping.

@CHILDwitGrace accused celebrities supporting the president of misleading struggling Nigerians, while others suggested the actors were motivated by political interests. Despite the backlash, some users defended the right of public figures to openly support candidates and political causes of their choice, arguing that political affiliation should not be grounds for personal attacks.

The controversy surrounding Orji’s appearance and political activism has highlighted the increasingly prominent role celebrities play in Nigeria’s political landscape. While supporters of Tinubu point to ongoing infrastructure projects, economic reforms, and security interventions as evidence of progress, critics argue that many Nigerians have yet to feel the benefits amid rising living costs and persistent insecurity. The rally and its aftermath underscore the deep divisions that continue to shape public discourse around Tinubu’s administration.

Gbenga Ogunbote, the technical adviser of Plateau United, expressed satisfaction after his team secured a 2-1 victory over Basira FC in the President Federation Cup Round of 16. The match took place at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Saturday, with the Peace Boys advancing to the next stage.

Ogunbote acknowledged the challenge posed by their opponents, who compete in the Nigeria National League (NNL). He noted that facing an NNL side is always difficult, and Basira FC put up a strong fight. Despite the pressure, Plateau United managed to come out on top.

The coach emphasized the team’s ambition to win the trophy, stating that everyone is focused on that goal. He added that they will continue to push forward and see how far their strength can take them in the competition.

Ogunbote also praised his players for their determination and effort throughout the game. He highlighted their commitment as a key factor in securing the win.

Galatasaray have set their sights on two strikers to bolster their attacking lineup alongside Nigerian star Victor Osimhen. The club’s management is actively pursuing a new forward to partner the prolific scorer, according to recent reports.

Reliable Galatasaray insider Burhan Can Terzi has revealed the club’s summer transfer priorities. He named Fenerbahce’s Jhon Duran and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kolo Muani as the primary options being considered.

“The two names that Galatasaray are most keenly considering as strikers to partner and support Osimhen are Jhon Duran and Kolo Muani,” Terzi stated. He added that the board is particularly drawn to Duran due to his relatively lower transfer fee, making him a financially viable target.

Meanwhile, Osimhen has been the subject of exit rumors, but the Nigerian international has firmly dismissed any speculation about leaving the Turkish Super Lig champions this summer, committing his immediate future to the club.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, has confessed that he fully expected to be crowned the Ballon d’Or winner in 2025. However, the prestigious award ultimately went to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, with Yamal securing the second-place finish.

In a recent interview, the Spanish winger revealed that while he believed he had done enough to claim the prize, looking back, he realizes that finishing as runner-up was actually beneficial for his development. “I thought the trophy would be mine that day, given everything that had unfolded throughout the year,” Yamal shared. “But now, I see that Dembele’s victory was the best outcome for me.”

The 18-year-old elaborated on why not winning was a positive turning point. “Beyond helping me mature as a person, I don’t believe I was ready to fully grasp the significance of a Ballon d’Or at that stage. I was still a kid, and winning might have made me take it for granted. It wouldn’t have meant the same to me as it should. This year, though, I’m aiming to change that. Let’s see if I can make it mine!”

Yamal’s reflection highlights a level of self-awareness rare for such a young athlete. Instead of dwelling on what could have been, he is channeling his disappointment into motivation for the upcoming season.

In a developing story from Turkey, football analyst Ertem Şener has announced that Mauro Icardi, who shares the forward line with Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray, is expected to leave the Süper Lig champions when the summer transfer window opens.

Speaking on his personal YouTube channel, Şener offered insights into the club’s upcoming transfer strategy. According to him, conversations with Galatasaray officials have made it clear that the Argentine striker will not continue with the team.

“After my discussion with the Galatasaray management today, it is evident that they are preparing to let Icardi go,” Şener said, as reported by Habersarikirmizi.

He went on to explain that there is tension between Icardi and the coaching staff. “Icardi holds some resentment toward the coach—or perhaps it’s more accurate to say he has adopted a certain attitude. He is showing a disruptive behavior within the squad.”

Şener believes the separation is the right move for both parties. “It is in the best interest of Galatasaray for Icardi to leave. The club should thank him for his contributions and move on.”

Since Osimhen joined from Napoli, Icardi has been relegated to a backup role, losing his spot as the team’s primary striker. This shift in hierarchy is believed to be a key factor behind the growing discord.