Category: Entertainment

Bayern Munich has dealt a significant setback to Arsenal’s summer transfer plans by moving ahead in the race for Eintracht Frankfurt’s rising star Nathaniel Brown. According to Christian Falk, head of football at Bild, the Bundesliga champions are on the verge of finalizing the deal, with the 22-year-old defender set to join Vincent Kompany’s squad for a fee just under £56 million, inclusive of bonuses.

The development comes after Bayern successfully fended off competition from Arsenal for the full-back’s signature. Brown has rapidly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in German football, earning a spot in Germany’s World Cup squad this year.

For Arsenal, missing out on Brown represents a major blow to their summer recruitment drive as they sought to strengthen their defensive options. The Gunners now must turn their attention to alternative targets in the transfer market.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with a thrilling encounter as co-host Mexico secured a 2-0 victory against South Africa on Wednesday night. This match echoed the 2010 tournament opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw, but this time Mexico dominated from the start.

Mexico took an early lead when Julián Quiñones found the net in the 9th minute, setting the tone for the game. The team maintained pressure throughout, and Raúl Jiménez doubled the advantage in the 67th minute with a clinical finish.

South Africa’s task became even harder after receiving two red cards, reducing them to nine men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, they fought bravely but couldn’t break through Mexico’s defense. Mexico also had César Montes sent off in stoppage time, but they held on to claim all three points.

The win marks a strong start for Mexico as they aim to advance deep into the tournament on home soil. The performance showcased their attacking prowess and resilience, even when facing a determined South African side.

Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, widely known as Mr P and one half of the defunct P-Square duo, has issued a strong plea to his fans: cease all comparisons between him and his twin brother Paul Okoye, also known as Rudeboy. In a recent video, Mr P emphasized his desire to focus solely on his solo career without any distractions. He asserted his individuality, urging supporters to let him carve his own path. “Stop comparing me with my brother or anyone else. Enough of the comparisons. I want to do me. There is no one like me. I want to do my thing and chop my money,” he stated firmly.

Mr P also revealed that the short-lived reunion with his twin brother Rudeboy significantly stalled his solo momentum. During an interview with Cool FM Lagos, he explained that prior to their reunion, he was gaining 100,000 Instagram followers daily. “After Davido, it was Don Jazzy and me who were the biggest African celebrities on social media. But after the reunion, everything just dropped,” he lamented. He further expressed that he believes he deserves greater recognition for his enduring relevance, noting that he has remained a prominent figure in the music industry for nearly three decades. “I have been in the game for nearly 30 years, and I am still trending to date. I deserve more respect,” he added.

The Lagos State High Court has thrown out the lawsuit filed by Pastor Chris Okafor against popular Nollywood actress Doris Ogala. According to the actress, the case, which involved allegations of cyber harassment, was dismissed in its entirety.

Okafor, the leader of Grace Nation Bible Ministry, had previously accused Ogala of online bullying, sharing private information, attempted blackmail, and spreading falsehoods. However, the court ruled in favor of the actress, bringing an end to the legal proceedings.

In a celebratory Instagram post on Thursday, Ogala expressed her joy over the court’s decision. She used laughing emojis to mock the pastor, writing, “Yes ooo, who says God isn’t working? The court dismissed Chris Okafor’s case against me. Hahaha. Now it’s war. Hahaha. Jesus is the ultimate ooo. Stories dey ooo.”

This legal victory marks another chapter in the ongoing feud between the former lovers. Ogala had publicly called out Okafor in December 2025 for allegedly ending their relationship to pursue a younger woman, despite promises of marriage. The pastor’s lawsuit was seen as a response to her revelations.

The dismissal of the case is a significant win for Ogala, who has been vocal about her grievances against the clergyman. She now appears ready to continue the public battle, as indicated by her war declaration in the social media post.

A troubling incident unfolded at the late actor Alex Ekubo’s service of songs in Lagos, where two prominent Nigerian celebrities reportedly had their mobile phones stolen. The event, which drew numerous dignitaries, movie stars, and social media personalities, was held on Wednesday at the Monarch Event Center ahead of Ekubo’s burial.

Actress and media personality Bamike Olawunmi, known widely as Bambam, was one of the victims. She took to Instagram on Thursday to alert her followers about the theft, revealing that her phone was taken from her bag during the event. Bambam mentioned that she had tracked the device to Nnamdi Azikiwe Street on Lagos Island, but the location later changed to simply Lagos Island, suggesting the phone might have been sold or dismantled.

In a similar vein, actress Susan Peters also reported the loss of her iPhone 16 Pro Max at the same venue. In her Instagram post, she described the phone, noting it had an eSIM with her US line, making it impossible to call. She urged anyone who finds it to return it for a reward, expressing shock that someone could steal at such an emotional occasion, especially after the sermons delivered by Papa Jerry. Peters pleaded for the return of her device, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The incidents have sparked widespread discussion online, with many condemning the act and expressing sympathy for the celebrities during this difficult time.

Stan Nze, a well-known Nollywood actor, has disclosed that no fewer than five mobile phones were stolen during the memorial service for the late Alex Ekubo held on Wednesday. The revelation came shortly after actresses Bam Bam and Susan Peters publicly reported the theft of their own phones at the same event.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Nze, who served as the master of ceremonies at the tribute and was a close friend of Ekubo, confirmed the widespread theft. He lamented the moral decay that allows people to steal from mourners, stating, “How can you come to a place where people are grieving and take their belongings?”

Nze went on to criticize the conscience of many Nigerians, asserting that the average citizen is both wicked and heartless. He argued that while people often blame the government for the country’s problems, individual actions reveal a deeper societal flaw. “Even if we remove every politician from power today, who will lead? How kind are you to your neighbor? You say the government is bad, but you yourself are wicked,” he said.

He described the incident at the service, noting that over five phones were taken. “I’m saying at least five because I want to be accurate. I personally know two people whose phones were stolen, and it made me question our collective conscience. At one point, the gates had to be locked so no one could leave until the phones were recovered,” he recounted.

Nze called on Nigerians to reflect on their values and start doing the right thing within their own circles. “We are not kind people—not with each other’s health, money, or sympathy. People were crying over their lost phones. This is a wake-up call for all of us,” he emphasized.

Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi has expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance despite their 2-1 loss to Portugal in Wednesday’s friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.

The Nigeria international, who plies his trade with FC Porto, noted that the three-time African champions showed significant improvement compared to their previous encounter with Portugal, where they suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat.

“The first half was tough, but we managed to keep things under control. Portugal are a very strong side; four years ago we lost 4-0, but this time we conceded fewer goals, which is a positive step,” the left-back stated after the match.

Eric Chelle’s side troubled the Portuguese defense with their fluid movement in the opening period and created several scoring opportunities. Sanusi highlighted that the team’s overall display was commendable, particularly in the first half.

The 28-year-old also voiced his support for Portugal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, calling the nation his “second country.” He added, “I can’t predict how far they will go, but I hope they become world champions.”

Pedro Neto has expressed his delight with Portugal’s performance following their 2-1 friendly victory over Nigeria, stating the team is well-prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match took place at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday evening.

Neto opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a fine strike, marking his first goal in four months for both club and country. The Chelsea winger’s effort was equalized by Sevilla striker Akor Adams in the 37th minute. Substitute Francisco Conceicao netted the winner 15 minutes from time.

Reflecting on the win and the earlier match against Chile, Neto commented: “These games help us assimilate ideas. Some players were missing during the Mexico training camp, and we hadn’t been together for a long time. But we will be ready.”

The friendly served as a crucial preparatory fixture for Portugal ahead of the World Cup. Neto’s positive outlook underscores the squad’s confidence as they fine-tune their strategies for the global tournament.

Renowned journalist and ex-presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati has called on Nigerians to back Mexico when they face South Africa in the World Cup opener, linking his plea to the persistent xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa.

During an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Abati highlighted the federal government’s ongoing evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence. He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed arrangements for the return of those who registered, with an initial group of 278 individuals expected to be repatriated.

Abati emphasized that the government pledged to assist and rehabilitate five batches of returnees, with over 1,000 Nigerians expressing interest in coming back. He argued that this situation should prompt a deeper reflection on Nigeria’s domestic conditions, stating that if basic amenities like electricity, water, and healthcare were readily available, fewer citizens would seek opportunities abroad.

Shifting focus to football, Abati encouraged Nigerians to support Mexico in their opening match against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. He humorously warned that backing South Africa might provoke accusations that Nigerians are encroaching on local opportunities, potentially sparking further xenophobic incidents.

“The foreign affairs spokesman confirmed that all preparations are complete for the return of Nigerians who signed up due to xenophobic attacks. The first 278 will be assisted and rehabilitated by the government,” Abati stated. “We’ve been assured of five batches, with over 1,000 Nigerians willing to come home. This teaches us that a well-organized nation would eliminate the need for citizens to seek basic services elsewhere.”

He added, “Today, South Africa and Mexico meet at the Azteca Stadium. I urge all Nigerians to support Mexico, so South Africans don’t claim, ‘These Nigerians are at it again, doing our jobs for us,’ leading to more xenophobic attacks. It’s safer to cheer Mexico in this World Cup opener. The match is at 1 PM local time, 7 PM this evening, and I expect Nigerians to back Mexico. They say we dislike them and steal their jobs. Let’s not do their work for them—support Mexico.”

In an unexpected turn of events, former Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa is reportedly on the verge of taking the helm at Premier League side Fulham. The 43-year-old, who previously managed the Spanish giants, has been identified as the top candidate to succeed Marco Silva at Craven Cottage.

Silva recently departed Fulham to assume the managerial role at Benfica, replacing Jose Mourinho, who is himself poised to return to Real Madrid. This domino effect has created an opening for Arbeloa, who stepped into the Real Madrid hot seat after Xabi Alonso was dismissed in January. Alonso now manages Chelsea.

According to The Athletic, talks between Arbeloa and Fulham have already taken place. The former defender, who had a distinguished playing career with Real Madrid, Liverpool, and West Ham United, is now being lined up for his first Premier League managerial challenge. Fulham are keen to finalize the appointment quickly as they prepare for the upcoming season.