Category: Entertainment

The Nigerian national team has touched down in Leiria, Portugal, gearing up for their upcoming friendly against Portugal, as reported by DAILY POST. Under the guidance of head coach Éric Chelle, the squad is set to face the former European champions at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa on Wednesday, June 10.

Following a 2-2 stalemate with Poland in Warsaw earlier this week, the Super Eagles have shifted their focus to this crucial test. All 21 players who featured in the Poland match have made the journey to Leiria. They are anticipated to be joined by Alex Iwobi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, who are expected to arrive imminently.

The team is scheduled to hold their first training session in Leiria on Friday evening, marking the start of their final preparations for the high-profile encounter against Portugal.

The summer transfer window continues to heat up, with Arsenal receiving promising news in their pursuit of Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi. Recent reports indicate that Paris Saint-Germain, who faced Arsenal in the Champions League final, have withdrawn their interest in the 19-year-old. This development potentially opens the door for the Premier League champions to make a formal offer for the player, who is valued at around £100 million.

In a separate transfer saga, Manchester City and Chelsea are set to compete for Juventus wing-back Andrea Cambiaso. The 26-year-old Italian international has attracted attention from multiple top European clubs after a strong season in Serie A. Both Premier League sides are reportedly keen on securing his services, with Barcelona also monitoring the situation.

Chelsea Football Club has issued a heartfelt statement following the passing of their iconic former striker, Bobby Tambling, at the age of 84. The club confirmed that he died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife Val, his children Jamie, Frankie, and Adelaide.

Tambling was one of the most prolific goal scorers in Chelsea’s history. For 45 years, he held the club’s all-time scoring record with 202 goals, until Frank Lampard surpassed that milestone in 2013. His contributions on the pitch were immense, and he was a key figure in a glamorous and dynamic Chelsea side during the 1960s.

Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Tambling helped the Blues secure their first major knockout trophy, the League Cup, in 1965. His legacy extends far beyond statistics; he was a devoted Blue through and through.

In their tribute, Chelsea stated, “Football was his life, and Chelsea was his forever home. There was no place he was happier than being at Stamford Bridge talking football with the fans. We will miss him beyond words.”

Rosario Central’s Angel Di Maria has pinpointed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the most likely candidates for the Ballon d’Or in 2026, provided either of them lifts the World Cup trophy. The Argentine midfielder, who has shared the pitch with both legends at club and international level, expressed his belief that a strong World Cup performance could tilt the prestigious award in their favor.

Speaking to the Ballon d’Or official website, Di Maria reflected on the unparalleled rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo. ‘For me, there won’t be a rivalry as great as that one,’ he stated. ‘That’s why I think that if either of them wins the World Cup or plays a starring role, they’ve got a good chance.’ Both players are gearing up for their sixth World Cup appearance, with a combined 13 Ballon d’Or titles between them from their European careers.

‘Well… It’s normal… At the end of the day, there isn’t a Messi or a Cristiano anymore; that’s over,’ Di Maria added, emphasizing the uniqueness of their era. The 2026 World Cup, set to kick off next week, could serve as a defining stage for either superstar to reclaim the spotlight and add another individual accolade to their illustrious resumes.

The 2025–26 Nigeria Premier Football League season has drawn to a close, and Kwara United FC have officially entered their end-of-season hiatus. The Ilorin-based outfit managed to secure their top-flight status by finishing in 16th place, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final matchday.

Additionally, their journey in the 2026 President Federation Cup came to an end when they suffered a defeat against Sokoto United during the Round of 32 stage.

An announcement from the club’s media department, endorsed by Chairman Kumbi Titiloye on Thursday, confirmed the break. According to the statement, the team will begin early preparations for the upcoming 2026–27 campaign, with trials and evaluations for potential new recruits scheduled to start the following weekend.

Both the newly identified players and the current squad members are expected to return for pre-season training after the Annual General Meeting takes place.

George Aluo, Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), has called on the four NNL clubs that advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 President Federation Cup to strive for quarter-final berths. The competition continues on Saturday, June 6, 2026, with matches scheduled at the Abuja Area 3 Stadium and the Abuja Goal Project.

The four NNL representatives are Sokoto United, Adamawa United, Kada Warriors, and Basira FC. In the Round of 16, Sokoto United will face Adamawa United at the Abuja Area 3 Stadium, while Basira FC will take on Plateau United at the Abuja Goal Project. Kada Warriors will meet Wikki Tourists, also at the Abuja Area 3 Stadium.

Aluo expressed pride in the performance of NNL teams, noting that four sides from the second-tier league have reached this stage for the third consecutive season. “It is a source of joy that, like the last three seasons, four NNL teams are in the Round of 16 of the President Federation Cup. This reflects the high quality of the second-tier league,” Aluo told Newstap. “As they prepare for Saturday’s matches, I encourage them to give their best and keep up the momentum.”

The NNL chairman highlighted the strong tradition of lower-division clubs in the competition, recalling that Abakaliki FC, an NNL side, reached the final of the President Federation Cup last year. This achievement underscores the potential for NNL teams to make a deep run this season.

Brazilian football icon Kaka has shared his forecasts for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. In an exclusive chat with The Athletic, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star revealed his picks for the tournament’s top player, best coach, and ultimate champion.

Kaka believes that Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal will claim the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. He also tipped Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti to be named the best coach. The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner made a surprising prediction that the US men’s national team will reach the semifinals. However, his boldest claim is reserved for Brazil, whom he expects to lift the trophy. Kaka stated, ‘The best player will be Lamine Yamal, the best coach will be Carlo Ancelotti, the US will make the semifinals, and Brazil will win the World Cup.’

Przemysław Wiśniewski, the Polish center-back, has opened up about his restrained reaction after netting a late equalizer in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Nigeria in Warsaw. His composed response, rather than exuberant celebration, has drawn attention.

The defender admitted the moment unfolded so quickly that he had no opportunity to plan a celebration. “I didn’t have a premeditated reaction because scoring is rare for me,” Wiśniewski explained via Przegladsportowy. “I simply struck the ball, and it found the net – it was pure instinct.”

Wiśniewski’s long-range effort in the dying minutes beat Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after Paul Onuachu’s penalty, salvaging a draw in a tightly contested friendly. This goal marked his first for Poland since making his debut against the Netherlands in September 2025, during a World Cup qualifier.

Fatigue also played a role in his muted celebration. “I was exhausted by the 90th minute, so I didn’t feel like running around; I just raised my hands. I’m happy to have scored my debut goal in such a manner,” he noted.

The 27-year-old also expressed doubts about replicating the feat, admitting he rarely practices such shots in training. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to repeat it soon. I don’t hit shots like that during practice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will look to improve their performance as they gear up for their next friendly against Portugal.

Nigerian Afrobeats star Qing Madi has levied serious accusations against her former record label head, Joy Tongo of JTon Music, claiming the executive falsified her signature and misappropriated funds. The singer, best known for the track ‘American Love’, made these allegations during a recent TikTok livestream, asserting that Tongo is actively sabotaging her career.

According to Qing Madi, the label removed several songs from her latest album ‘Barely Legal’ from streaming services, citing an alleged breach of contract. She argued that this move is a calculated attempt to derail her success after she emerged victorious in a $2 million lawsuit that the label had filed against her. The singer expressed frustration, stating, ‘She [Tongo] took my money, signed my name without permission, and then tried to sue me for $2 million. She lost that case. Now she’s having my tracks like ‘Pepper Me’ taken down illegally, but my team proved it. So she’s found other shady ways to remove my entire project.’

Qing Madi urged her fans to speak out against what she perceives as an injustice, noting that the constant legal battles and contractual disputes are taking a toll on her. She described the experience as exhausting and called for support from the public.

In response, Joy Tongo took to Instagram to refute the claims, labeling them as ‘false statements’. Tongo denied any involvement in forging signatures or stealing money. She clarified that the case Qing Madi claims to have won is still ongoing and has not yet gone to trial. Tongo added, ‘The injunction that was granted is precisely what allows us to issue legal takedowns now. If you had truly won the case, why is it still pending in court?’ This back-and-forth highlights the deepening rift between the artist and her former management.

Nigerian music sensation Magixx has stirred conversation with his firm stance on financial dynamics within relationships. The ‘Love Don’t Cost A Dime’ hitmaker openly rejects the concept of splitting expenses 50/50, asserting that the financial burden should rest squarely on the man’s shoulders.

During a candid interview with Cool FM Lagos, Magixx elaborated on his perspective. He argued that the rule applies regardless of who initiates the relationship. Even if a woman makes the first move and invites him out, he maintains that the man should still be responsible for all costs.

“I completely oppose the 50/50 arrangement,” he stated emphatically. “In my view, the man must cover all expenses, even if the woman is the one who proposed the date or relationship.”

The singer did, however, offer a moment of self-reflection. He acknowledged that his financial comfort might influence his opinions. “I’m not certain I would hold the same belief if I weren’t wealthy,” he confessed, hinting at the complexity of the issue.