Category: Entertainment

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, have maintained their 26th position globally in the most recent FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday. Despite playing several international friendlies, the team’s spot remains unchanged, according to the official standings.

Under the guidance of coach Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles participated in the Unity Cup invitational tournament in London last month. They secured a 2-0 win against Zimbabwe and a 3-0 victory over Jamaica. However, their performance in June included a 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw and a 2-1 loss to Portugal in Leiria.

On the African continent, Nigeria continues to hold third place, trailing behind Morocco and Senegal. Algeria and Egypt round out the top five African teams. Globally, the top five positions remain stable, with Argentina leading, followed by Spain, France, England, and Portugal.

The next FIFA rankings update is scheduled for release on Monday, July 20.

John Terry, the legendary Chelsea defender, has shed light on why John Obi Mikel is deeply frustrated about Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. According to Terry, the former Super Eagles captain is not just disappointed for his country but also because it limits his opportunities as a commentator.

Speaking during a SuperSport virtual media roundtable, Terry emphasized that Nigeria’s absence from the tournament is a significant loss. He expressed a strong desire to see the Super Eagles compete, highlighting the abundance of talented players in the squad.

Terry noted, ‘Nigeria will be hugely missed. It would have been fantastic to see a top team like them at the World Cup because they boast exceptional individuals.’ He then added, ‘I know Obi is really upset that they’re not there. It means he can’t do more commentating on the World Cup. That’s the real reason for his disappointment.’

The 2026 World Cup kicks off today, and Nigeria is notably absent after failing to secure a spot in the tournament. This marks another disappointing chapter for Nigerian football fans, who had hoped to see their team on the global stage.

Following Portugal’s 2-1 triumph over Nigeria in an international friendly on Wednesday night, the demand for Cristiano Ronaldo’s match jersey was high. However, it was Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi who emerged as the lucky recipient of the iconic shirt.

Onyemaechi proudly showcased Ronaldo’s jersey on his social media accounts shortly after the game concluded.

Ronaldo himself shared a photo with the Nigerian right-back on Instagram, writing: “The preparation is done. Eyes on the World Cup.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was the focal point of attention from Nigerian players and coaching staff, who eagerly sought photos with him at the final whistle.

Ronaldo featured for 64 minutes and squandered a few opportunities to find the net against the Eagles.

Former England striker Michael Owen has voiced his predictions for the upcoming World Cup, singling out France as the team to beat. Despite Spain being the bookmakers’ favorite, Owen believes the French squad is head and shoulders above the competition.

Having participated in three World Cups himself, Owen feels that Les Bleus possess a depth and quality that sets them apart. He expects England, his former national team, to advance no further than the quarterfinals or semifinals at best.

In his conversation with Metro, Owen also suggested that Germany could emerge as dark horses in the tournament. He stated, ‘I think England will be a quarter-final or a semi-final at best would be my guess, but I have a sneaky feeling that Germany could do well.

‘I think they could do well. So France would be my pick, England to get to the quarters or semis and Germany to be the dark horses.‘ The tournament kicks off on Thursday night, and fans are eager to see if Owen’s predictions hold true.

Good news for the Super Falcons as striker Esther Okoronkwo has resumed full training after recovering from a hamstring injury. The setback, which occurred during AFC Toronto’s match against Halifax last month, kept her sidelined for five consecutive league games.

Okoronkwo also missed Nigeria’s international friendlies against Senegal, but her return is timely ahead of the WAFCON 2026 tournament. The 29-year-old forward is now set to feature in AFC Toronto’s upcoming clash against Montreal Roses at York Lions Stadium this Saturday.

Her comeback is a significant boost for the team, especially considering her instrumental role in AFC Toronto’s league title triumph last season. With her fitness restored, she adds depth to the Super Falcons’ attacking options as they prepare to defend their African crown.

In a surprising twist ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has shifted his allegiance from France to Spain as his top pick for the tournament. The competition kicks off today, with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match.

Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube show ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents,’ initially outlined a detailed strategy for France’s success. He emphasized the importance of deploying Kylian Mbappe on the left wing and Ousmane Dembele as a pressing forward, suggesting their synergy under Didier Deschamps could lead to victory. He also highlighted Desired Doue and Michael Olise as key playmakers, confidently stating, ‘Game over.’

However, when pressed for a final prediction, Ferdinand changed his tune. He cited the formidable trio of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri as the reason Spain could be unbeatable if fit. ‘A fit Lamine Yamal, a fit Nico Williams and a fit Rodri… Spain takes some beating,’ he remarked, adding, ‘I have been saying France every day until today.’

When asked what prompted his decision to switch his prediction, Ferdinand simply replied, ‘I don’t know, I just thought if those boys are fit, then they go and win it.’ His comments have sparked debate among football fans eagerly awaiting the World Cup’s start.

Nigerian music superstar David Adeleke, widely recognized as Davido, used his platform at the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles on Wednesday night to bring international attention to the abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers from Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State. Donning a custom jacket emblazoned with the names of the abducted individuals and the phrase ‘Bring Them Home’ on the back, the ‘OBO’ hitmaker performed his popular track ‘Fall’ while repeatedly showcasing the garment to emphasize the urgency of the situation.

This public appeal is not an isolated incident for Davido, who had previously taken to social media to urge authorities to expedite the rescue of the victims and to condemn the persistent insecurity plaguing the nation. His call for immediate action resonated with the global audience at the concert, amplifying the plight of the captives.

In related developments, Grammy-award winner Burna Boy is set to perform at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City alongside Shakira, marking a historic moment for Nigerian representation at the event. Burna Boy collaborated with Shakira on the official World Cup anthem ‘Dia Dia’ and will debut the live performance during the ceremony. Additionally, fellow Nigerian artist Rema is scheduled to perform at the US opening ceremony in Los Angeles, sharing the stage with international pop acts including Lisa.

Nigerian afrobeat sensation Ruger has temporarily stepped away from the music industry, his record label has confirmed. The label disclosed that the ‘Bounce’ hitmaker is currently entangled in a legal disagreement with an ex-girlfriend, which has prompted his hiatus.

According to an official statement released by the label, Ruger has been dealing with personal challenges after a former romantic partner filed a lawsuit against him. The ex-girlfriend is reportedly seeking compensation for what she describes as ’emotional distress’ and ‘damages’ caused by the singer.

The statement elaborated that this legal battle has forced Ruger to take a break from his musical activities. However, fans can look forward to his return, as the label assured that the artist is expected to resume his career in August.

Ruger’s management emphasized that the singer is using this time to focus on resolving the legal matters and regaining his mental well-being. They expressed confidence that he will come back stronger and more inspired.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles faced a 2-1 defeat against Portugal in a pre-2026 World Cup friendly held on Wednesday night. The match, which took place at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa, kicked off at 8:45 PM Nigerian time, marking the team’s second consecutive encounter with a European nation.

Before this game, Eric Chelle’s squad had secured a 2-2 draw with Poland a week earlier, but a late equalizer had denied them victory. Portugal, likely led by captain Cristiano Ronaldo, used this friendly to fine-tune their World Cup preparations.

The first half saw Portugal take the lead when Pedro Neto’s low drive found the back of the net past Okoye. However, Nigeria responded swiftly as Akor Adams powered through the defense to slot home an equalizer, making it 1-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Portugal regained the upper hand as Conceicao cut inside and curled a stunning shot into the goal, restoring their lead. The match ended 2-1 in favor of Portugal, despite Nigeria’s resilient efforts.

In a dramatic turn of events at the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six playoff on Wednesday, FC Robo Queens secured their first victory of the tournament with a convincing 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Nasarawa Amazons in Port Harcourt. The Lagos-based side, nicknamed the Landladies, had endured a difficult start to the playoffs, suffering defeats in their opening two matches against Rivers Angels and Edo Queens. However, they produced a resilient second-half performance to turn their fortunes around.

After a goalless first half, FC Robo Queens broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Falconets striker Opeyemi Ajakaye found the back of the net with a clinical finish. The goal stunned the Nasarawa Amazons, who had been dominant in the tournament up to that point. Before the Amazons could regroup, FC Robo Queens struck again, this time through Kemi Adegbuyi, doubling their lead and effectively sealing the match.

Despite this impressive result, FC Robo Queens remain at the bottom of the standings, while Nasarawa Amazons hold onto second place despite suffering their first loss of the competition. The victory breathes new life into the Landladies’ campaign, giving them hope for the remaining fixtures.