Category: Entertainment

Following a disappointing end to the 2025/26 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, Lobi Stars have announced the departure of 18 players from their squad. The club failed to earn promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), finishing outside the qualification positions.

The list of released players includes Orya Joseph, Daniel Abah, Atavti Samuel, Eyigege Pius, Achiv Douglas, Eru Jackson, Amia Kenneth, Ingbila Henry, Ofem Emmanuel, Itim Paul, Yanmar Moses, Iorliam Eric, Bello Raji Egigogo, Edeh Chukwuebuka, Amara Christian, Ifeanyi Ezema, Jonathan John Abu, and Okoh Chukwuma.

In contrast, the Pride of Benue have retained 17 players for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign. Among those staying with the team are Kumaga Suur, Kwambe Solomon, Odinaka Francis, Akile Monday, Iteji Jimmy, Onah Peter, Agugu Benjamin, Foga Dominic, Imenger Barnabas Jnr, Kongbenda Joseph, Uja Manasseh, Sunday James, Atsaka Daniel, Egiga Valentine, Afeez Yusuf, Azeez Tijanni, and John Akende.

Lobi Stars’ failure to secure promotion was a major setback for the club, which had aimed to return to the top flight. The squad overhaul reflects a strategic shift as they prepare for another season in the NNL.

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has shared his perspective on why Paris Saint-Germain managed to overcome Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final held on Saturday. The match saw Arsenal take an early lead through a superb strike from Kai Havertz during the first half. However, PSG leveled the score in the second period after Ousmane Dembele converted from the penalty spot. The game ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where the French side emerged victorious after both Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their attempts from the spot.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Carragher pointed out that Mikel Arteta’s squad lacks sufficient quality in the attacking department, a deficiency that proved costly against the Parisian outfit. He noted, “That has always been the critique of Arteta’s Arsenal. I believe the approach they took last night was nearly the only strategy they could employ to have a chance against PSG.” He added, “PSG didn’t perform well in the first half. Were they vulnerable? Yet, that’s the nature of Arsenal.”

Carragher emphasized, “What I will mention, and I have repeated this throughout the season—and I thought this flaw would prevent Arsenal from winning the league, but it didn’t—is that they lack sufficient firepower up front. Arsenal are exceptional, arguably the best team globally at defending their own penalty area, and their two center-backs delivered outstanding performances last night. Even though they are champions of England, they desperately need better attackers.”

Enyimba International FC’s striker, Nelson Sule, has assured fans of the team’s full preparedness for their President Federation Cup Round of 32 encounter against Gombe United. The match is scheduled to take place in Makurdi on Monday.

In a statement relayed by Completesports, Sule emphasized that the squad is taking the competition one game at a time and is not succumbing to pressure. “We are focused and ready for Monday’s game. Our approach is to work hard and secure the win against Gombe United,” the forward declared.

Despite a lackluster league campaign, Sule called on supporters to maintain their faith in the team. “We urge all Enyimba fans to keep believing in us and praying for us. We promise not to disappoint them,” he added.

The People’s Elephant are determined to advance in the cup competition and redeem themselves after a difficult season in the Nigeria Professional Football League. The fixture against the Savannah Scorpions represents a crucial opportunity for the team to shift focus and deliver a positive result for their loyal followers.

Lobi Stars have made significant changes to their technical bench as they prepare for the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign. The club, which fell short of securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last term, is aiming to bounce back stronger.

In a move to strengthen the team’s foundation, assistant coaches Benjamin Kude and Mathias Asongu have been shifted to the club’s U-19 feeder team. They will collaborate with Stephen Waghbo, who has been assigned from the Benue State Sports Council.

Meanwhile, former Lobi Stars goalkeeper Jighjigh Ahungwa has taken up the role of goalkeeper coach. This appointment is part of the club’s strategy to enhance its developmental framework.

Additionally, ex-defender Odeh Ogah has been appointed as Assistant Team Manager for the U-19 side. The management believes these adjustments will foster a more competitive and disciplined squad capable of meeting the challenges of the new season.

Nigerian music star David Adeleke, widely recognized as Davido, has shared his intention to regain ownership of his music masters from Sony, his international record label, prior to his retirement. In a candid discussion on The Long Form podcast, the artist highlighted the critical role of ownership in the music business. He explained that his goal is to secure his masters and then allocate the royalty streams from his songs to his children after he steps away from the industry.

Davido stated, ‘I have a favorable recording contract, but what truly matters is possession of the work. I aim to retrieve my masters from Sony shortly. Once I do, I can assign specific tracks to each of my kids, ensuring they continue to benefit from royalties long after I stop making music.’ He further emphasized the need for artists to take the commercial aspects of their careers seriously, noting that understanding the business side is as important as creative output.

The singer’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions in the industry about artist rights and fair compensation, with many musicians advocating for greater control over their intellectual property. Davido’s proactive approach serves as a model for upcoming artists, underscoring the value of long-term planning and financial literacy in music.

Following Arsenal’s heartbreaking loss to PSG in the Champions League final, former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere has expressed confidence that the club will not endure another two-decade wait for Europe’s top prize. Speaking on TNT Sports, Wilshere acknowledged the pain of the defeat but insisted that under Mikel Arteta’s leadership, the team is poised for a swift return to the final.

Owen Hargreaves, the ex-Manchester United star, echoed those sentiments, praising Arsenal as the best side in England and among the elite in Europe. “This team has taken fans on an incredible ride. They are here to stay and will bounce back,” Hargreaves remarked.

The final, held in Budapest, saw Arsenal take an early lead through Kai Havertz’s superb strike. However, Ousmane Dembele leveled from the penalty spot, and after a goalless extra time, PSG held their nerve in the shootout. Gabriel and Eberechi Eze missed crucial penalties for Arsenal, handing PSG back-to-back Champions League titles.

Wilshere admitted he thought Arsenal could win on penalties but called the outcome “difficult to accept.” He stressed, however, that “it won’t take another 20 years to reach another final with Mikel at the helm.” Hargreaves added that Arsenal’s dominance in the Premier League and their run to the final prove they belong among Europe’s best.

PSG become only the second club, after Real Madrid, to successfully defend the Champions League trophy.

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has voiced his compassion for Arsenal defender Gabriel, who he believes was the standout performer during the Champions League final before his decisive penalty miss handed PSG the title. The Brazilian center-back’s wayward spot-kick, which sailed over the crossbar, confirmed Paris Saint-Germain’s reign as European champions and dashed Arsenal’s hopes of glory for another season.

Arsenal, who had clinched the Premier League trophy earlier, entered the final with high ambitions. They took an early lead through Kai Havertz’s clinical finish within seven minutes. However, PSG gradually seized control of the match, though they struggled to create clear chances. The equalizer came shortly after halftime when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty after Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The game ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. While PSG held their nerve, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze also missed from the spot before Gabriel’s costly error. Schmeichel, who won the Champions League with Manchester United in 1999, shared his thoughts on CBS Sports: “It came down to penalties, and it could have gone either way. I feel immense sympathy for Gabriel because I believed he was exceptional, the best player on the pitch. His defensive performance was outstanding. For him to be the one who missed the final penalty that determined the outcome, I feel deeply sorry for him.”

When asked whether it was a mistake for Gabriel to take the fifth penalty, Schmeichel defended the decision: “I don’t think you can say that; that’s a bit of an insult because of course he can kick a ball—this is a top player. But that is pressure; he knows he has to score, and if he doesn’t, PSG will win.”

In a significant move for youth sports development, the Abia State government has announced plans to present 59 talented footballers, unearthed during the recently concluded Abia Soccer Fest, to European clubs and the Nigerian Football League for professional opportunities.

The announcement was made at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba during the tournament’s final match, where Aba South Local Government Area defeated Ukwa LGA 2-1 to claim the championship title. Commissioners Uzo Nwachukwu (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs) and Nwadinma Ananaba (Youth and Sports Development) detailed the initiative.

According to the officials, exhibition matches will be organized for the newly discovered athletes, attracting scouts from France, Serbia, and the Czech Republic who will evaluate and select the most promising players for European teams. Additionally, standout talents will be integrated into Abia Warriors Football Club and other state developmental squads.

Over a six-month period, the soccer competition featured 159 matches, reflecting the government’s commitment to talent discovery and skill enhancement programs. Governor Alex Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu at the closing ceremony, hailed the event as a celebration of youth potential, unity, and sportsmanship. He praised the discipline and resilience of all participating teams, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to sustained investment in youth development and sports infrastructure.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has called on Mikel Arteta to consider moving on from Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres following the Gunners’ heartbreaking Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The north London side saw their dreams of lifting the European crown for the first time dashed in a penalty shootout in Budapest, with PSG prevailing 4-3 from the spot after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes.

Arteta’s men initially took control when Havertz opened the scoring, but Ousmane Dembele leveled from the penalty spot in the second half. The match remained deadlocked through extra time, leading to a dramatic shootout where Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both missed from 12 yards, handing PSG the title and their second consecutive Champions League triumph.

In the aftermath, Keown, speaking on TNT Sports, pinpointed the forward line as a key area for improvement. “They may reconsider their options at striker,” he said. “Kai Havertz completed 90 minutes tonight, but this marks only his second full match in 18 months. For Viktor Gyokeres, it was a challenging evening, so that could be a position Arsenal might evaluate. Perhaps they should also consider the left-wing. Mikel Arteta will need to assess these options closely.”

Havertz, who scored his second Champions League final goal against PSG, has struggled with fitness throughout the campaign, making just seven league starts. Meanwhile, £64 million summer signing Gyokeres endured an inconsistent debut season and was omitted from the squad for the club’s most crucial match of the year.

Despite the painful defeat, Arsenal are set to celebrate their first Premier League title since 2004 with a trophy parade in north London on Sunday. Arteta has indicated he will take a short break before turning his attention to the summer transfer window, with the club expected to provide significant funds for reinforcements. Keown’s comments suggest that a new striker and possibly a left-winger should be high on the priority list as Arteta looks to build on a season that ended with domestic glory but European heartbreak.

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley did not hold back in his criticism of Arsenal’s performance in the Champions League final, labeling Mikel Arteta’s approach as shameful. The Gunners fell to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout, ending their quest for European glory.

Arsenal took an early lead through Kai Havertz, who netted a superb goal from a tight angle just minutes into the match. However, after the breakthrough, the team retreated into a defensive shell, allowing PSG to dominate possession. Ousmane Dembele equalized from the spot in the second half, and Gabriel’s missed penalty sealed Arsenal’s fate.

Burley, speaking on ESPN, expressed bewilderment at Arteta’s tactics. He noted that after scoring, Arsenal seemed content to defend for the remaining 84 minutes, a strategy he deemed ineffective against top opposition. The former Scotland international pointed out that the Gunners recorded the lowest possession in a Champions League final at just 24.7 percent.

He described the team’s approach as reminiscent of rugby, citing several instances where Arsenal launched long balls forward from kick-offs. Burley argued that this outdated style, akin to English football in the 1980s, is no way to compete for major honors. He questioned the praise Arteta has received, emphasizing that simply reaching the final and defending deeply does not equate to success.

Burley concluded that Arsenal’s negative mindset cost them dearly and that such a passive strategy will never yield a Champions League trophy. The criticism adds to the growing scrutiny of Arteta’s methods after a heartbreaking defeat.