Category: Entertainment

Scottish giants Rangers are reportedly setting their sights on Nigeria international Ryan Alebiosu, currently with Blackburn Rovers, as a potential summer addition. Sources indicate that the Glasgow-based club views the right-back as a suitable long-term replacement for their former captain James Tavernier.

Alebiosu, 24, made the move to Blackburn Rovers from Belgian side Kortrijk at the beginning of the previous season. His performances in the Championship throughout the 2025/26 campaign caught the eye, establishing him as one of the division’s standout defenders. Over the course of 41 league matches, he notched one goal and provided five assists for Rovers.

Interest in the Super Eagles star is not new; Serie A outfit Genoa had an offer for Alebiosu turned down during the January transfer window. According to reports from Sportsboom, Blackburn are now open to negotiating a deal for the player, with an asking price set in the region of £3 million to £5 million this summer.

Rangers see Alebiosu as an ideal addition to bolster their defensive options, particularly on the right flank, following Tavernier’s departure. The Nigerian’s pace, defensive acumen, and ability to contribute offensively make him a prime target for the Scottish Premiership side as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

Real Madrid has officially announced that José Mourinho will assume the role of head coach on July 13. This date coincides with the start of the club’s preseason preparations for the 2026-2027 season.

The Spanish giants confirmed the appointment in a board meeting chaired by Florentino Pérez, revealing that the Portuguese tactician has signed a three-year contract that runs until June 30, 2029. Mourinho’s move from Benfica will see the Portuguese club receive a €15 million compensation fee.

In an official statement, Real Madrid stated: ‘The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C.F., meeting today, Thursday, June 11, and chaired by Florentino Pérez, has agreed to appoint José Mourinho as first-team coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029. José Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason training begins.’

The return of the 63-year-old manager marks his second stint at the Santiago Bernabéu, where he previously coached from 2010 to 2013, winning a LaLiga title and a Copa del Rey.

Emmanuel Petit, the former Arsenal midfielder, has shared his insights on the club’s summer transfer strategy. He believes manager Mikel Arteta should retain Leandro Trossard while parting ways with three other squad members.

According to Petit, the Gunners need to strengthen their wide attacking options. He specifically mentioned that Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Noni Madueke are not up to the required standard. Petit expressed doubts about Viktor Gyokeres, who recently joined, but emphasized that Trossard deserves to stay.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Petit said: “It’s clear what Arsenal lack—wingers. For me, players like Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Noni Madueke aren’t good enough. Leandro Trossard, I’d keep. But Madueke needs to show much more.”

Petit’s advice comes as Arsenal look to reshape their squad for the upcoming season, with the club likely to be active in the transfer market.

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.”