Category: Entertainment

Nollywood star Funke Akindele has expressed her grief over the passing of fellow actor Alex Ekubo, sharing her sorrow in a heartfelt tribute. The actress and filmmaker took to social media to mourn her colleague, who died after a battle with liver cancer.

Reports indicate that Ekubo was admitted to a hospital on Monday and placed on life support before succumbing to his illness on Tuesday afternoon. His death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian entertainment industry.

In an emotional Instagram post, Akindele wrote: “Hmmmmm. Rest in peace, Alex. I really tried to reach out to see you one more time, but I guess you knew best. May your kind soul rest in peace, Alex. Ore mi, as you fondly called me, I will always remember and cherish the good times we shared together. REST IN PEACE, ALEX.”

Her tribute highlights the deep bond they shared, referring to a mutual nickname that underscored their friendship. The post has since garnered widespread reactions from fans and colleagues, all paying their respects to the late actor.

Controversial media personality Blessing CEO has spoken out on the passing of Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, offering a stark condemnation of the disease that claimed his life. The self-styled relationship expert, who has herself been embroiled in a heated dispute over her own health claims, took to social media to express her dismay.

According to reports, the actor succumbed to stage 4 liver cancer at a medical facility in Lagos on Monday. In her Instagram tribute, Blessing CEO posted a photo of Ekubo alongside a caption that read, “God will punish cancer. We waited for you to show up. You fought silently. Rest in peace.” Her words seemed to echo her earlier assertions about battling the same illness.

Back in March 2026, Blessing CEO had publicly appealed for financial assistance to undergo chemotherapy, alleging she was fighting stage 4 breast cancer. However, the Nigerian Medical Association’s Delta State chapter contested her claim, accusing her of tampering with a medical report from Xinus Medical Diagnostics. The report in question had been authorized by Dr. O.A. Odigwe, a consultant pathologist.

The controversy deepened when social media influencer VeryDarkMan petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to launch an investigation into Blessing CEO’s actions, a request that was eventually granted. Despite the backlash, Blessing CEO has now used the tragedy of Ekubo’s death to reiterate her stance against cancer, adding a new layer to the ongoing saga.

Abia Warriors have turned to former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu to lead the team for the rest of the campaign. The club’s management made the decision following the suspension of head coach Imama Amapakabo and his assistant Bethel Orji.

Both Amapakabo and Orji were told to stay away from all team activities after Abia Warriors suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Kun Khalifat FC on Sunday. That defeat ended any hopes the club had of qualifying for continental competition.

Adding to the team’s woes, Abia Warriors also fell to Ahudiyannem FC in the semifinals of the Abia State FA Cup. The Umuahia-based side will finish their season with an away match against Warri Wolves.

Galatasaray midfielder Mario Lemina has lavished praise on his teammate Victor Osimhen, calling him the most well-rounded striker in world football. In an interview on The 360 Experience with Onan Khosi, Lemina did not hold back his admiration for the Nigerian forward.

“Osimhen is the best striker on the planet,” Lemina stated, as reported by Forza Cimbom. “He is the most complete number nine I have ever come across. I genuinely believe he has no weaknesses.”

The midfielder went on to highlight Osimhen’s warrior-like mentality. “We share a great bond. Both of us crave victory intensely. When someone raises their voice on the pitch, it’s a positive signal for the squad. I appreciate that. Osimhen is a battler. His greatest asset is his hunger to compete and win,” Lemina added.

Osimhen has been in sensational form for Galatasaray, drawing attention from top clubs across Europe. The Super Eagles star continues to earn plaudits from teammates and pundits alike for his all-round game.

The Nigeria Women’s National Team, the Super Falcons, have been forced to cancel their planned training tour in the United Kingdom after their scheduled opponents, Jamaica, withdrew from the friendly match.

Initially set to take place from May 23 to 28, the tour was intended to include a training camp and a friendly against the Reggae Girlz. This was part of the team’s preparation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals in Morocco.

According to reports, the cancellation stemmed from administrative issues on the Jamaican side. This is not the first time the Super Falcons have faced such a setback; last month, Cape Verde also pulled out of a double-header friendly series.

As a result, the Super Falcons will have to wait until the next FIFA women’s international window in June to secure a friendly match. Coach Justine Madugu’s team last played in March, defeating the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 3-1 in Yaounde.

The defending WAFCON champions are expected to step up their preparations ahead of the tournament in Morocco this July.

Inter Milan icon Wesley Sneijder has shared his forecast for the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting a dominant victory for the French side.

The former Dutch midfielder, speaking to Hard Rock Bet and reported by Metro UK, highlighted Arsenal’s full-backs as a potential weakness. According to Sneijder, PSG’s strength on the flanks, particularly the left side, could prove decisive.

Arsenal secured their spot in the Budapest final by overcoming Atletico Madrid, while PSG defeated Bayern Munich. Sneijder believes the Gunners’ defense will struggle to contain PSG’s attacking threats, predicting a scoreline of 3-0 or 4-0 in favor of the Parisians.

However, he did not rule out an Arsenal victory entirely, stating that a narrow 1-0 win for Mikel Arteta’s side would be a ‘great job.’ Nonetheless, he emphasized that avoiding conceding against PSG will be extremely challenging.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has addressed the contentious VAR decision that played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s narrow victory against West Ham United. The Gunners secured a 1-0 win thanks to a late goal from Leandro Trossard, but the match ended in controversy when Callum Wilson’s equalizer was disallowed after a VAR review.

Speaking about the incident, Guardiola highlighted the challenges referees face when players engage in physical battles during set pieces. He stopped short of criticizing the decision directly, instead emphasizing the difficulty officials have in such situations.

Despite the result putting Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City with just two games remaining, Guardiola remained focused on his team’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace. He stressed the importance of concentrating on what they can control and improving their performance to stay in the title race.

The City manager’s comments come amid widespread debate over the use of VAR in the Premier League, with many questioning the consistency of decisions in high-stakes games. However, Guardiola refused to dwell on the controversy, insisting that his side must focus on their own fixtures and push for the title until the very end.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s Refereeing Development Committee has taken disciplinary action against referee Yakubu Adamu, barring him from officiating any league or football-related activities. According to an announcement on the official X handle of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Adamu was punished for awarding a penalty during the match between Rangers International and Bendel Insurance that violated the Laws of the Game.

The committee determined that the official’s call directly influenced the final result of the encounter. Additionally, it was stated that Adamu’s conduct brought the sport into disrepute. In the matchday 37 fixture, Rangers secured a 2-1 victory, thereby retaining their position at the summit of the NPFL standings.

With the season reaching its climax, the Flying Antelopes and Rivers United are set to contend for the championship on the concluding matchday. Rangers will travel to face Ikorodu City, while Rivers United will host Katsina United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Joe Cole, the former Chelsea midfielder, has outlined a transfer strategy for his old club that prioritizes experience over youth. Under BlueCo’s ownership, the Blues have focused on acquiring young talent, but Cole believes this approach has left the squad short on leadership. He suggests Chelsea should target three seasoned players, all over 30, to provide immediate support.

Among his recommendations is Robert Lewandowski, the 35-year-old Barcelona striker. Cole envisions the Polish star bringing his goal-scoring prowess to Stamford Bridge, potentially on a one-year contract. He argues that Lewandowski could easily handle 35 games per season while mentoring younger forwards like Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Cole also points to John Stones, the Manchester City defender, as a prime candidate. The 31-year-old is reportedly set to leave the Etihad at the end of the season, and Cole believes his experience would be invaluable to Chelsea’s defensive line.

In addition, Cole has renewed his call for Jordan Henderson, whom he previously suggested last summer—a suggestion that was met with laughter. Now playing for Brentford, Henderson’s impact is clear, according to Cole. He emphasized that the 35-year-old midfielder sets the tone and elevates those around him, despite not always making headlines. Cole stressed that Chelsea’s young players lack such guidance, highlighting the need for seasoned professionals who can provide intangible qualities off the pitch.

The Blues currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, and their European qualification hangs in the balance. Cole’s advice comes as Chelsea prepare for an FA Cup final against Manchester City, following a 1-1 draw with Liverpool. The addition of experienced heads, he believes, could steady the ship for the upcoming season.