Category: Entertainment

The dynamic Nigerian duo of Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo have achieved a remarkable domestic double after their club AS Roma clinched the Coppa Italia Women title with a hard-fought victory over Juventus.

Manuela Giugliano emerged as the hero for the Giallorosse, scoring the decisive goal just ten minutes before the final whistle to secure the cup triumph.

Oladipo, who was recently honored as the best defender in the Serie A Femminile for the 2025/26 season, played the entire match, showcasing her defensive prowess throughout the contest.

Meanwhile, the versatile forward Babajide remained an unused substitute during the tightly contested final.

This Coppa Italia success adds to AS Roma’s earlier achievement of clinching the Serie A Femminile title earlier this month, completing a glorious double for the club.

Throughout the season, Oladipo made 31 appearances in all competitions, while Babajide contributed in 14 matches, scoring one goal and providing three assists.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has voiced his belief that Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United is the standout candidate to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah at Anfield. Salah made his final appearance for the Reds in a 1-1 draw against Brentford, bringing his illustrious Liverpool tenure to a close.

Owen, speaking to Premier League Productions, acknowledged the peculiar circumstances surrounding Bowen’s potential departure, given West Ham’s relegation to the Championship. However, he argued that the winger’s quality demands a Premier League stage.

‘He’s been incredible,’ Owen said. ‘You’ve got a short career, and he simply has to be playing in the top flight. If an offer comes that’s genuinely compelling, I’ve been saying this for a long time – with Mo Salah gone, Bowen is the absolute perfect replacement for him at Liverpool.’

The endorsement from Owen, a former Ballon d’Or winner, adds weight to growing speculation linking Bowen with a move to Merseyside. With Salah’s departure now confirmed, Liverpool’s search for a marquee attacking signing appears to have a clear target.

The Hausa film industry has been dealt a heavy blow with the passing of veteran actress Wasila Isma’il, who lost her battle with a prolonged illness. She was 46 years old.

Her estranged spouse, Al-Amin Chiroma, broke the news on social media platforms on Sunday. He disclosed that she breathed her last at the FOMWAN Hospital situated in Kaduna.

Hailing from Kaduna, the actress became a household name in Kannywood circles, thanks largely to her role in the 1999 picture ‘Wasila’. The film, directed by Yakubu Lere and co-starring Ali Nuhu, catapulted her to fame.

Isma’il first stepped into the acting scene in 1998, making her debut in the production ‘Jinin Masoya’. She once opened up about her early career in an interview, shedding light on why the title of her breakout film was altered from ‘Jamila’ to ‘Wasila’. She expressed discomfort with the original name, fearing it might cast a negative light on her persona. The director accommodated her request for a change.

In the wake of her death, fans and fellow actors have flooded social networks with tributes, highlighting her immense impact on the growth of Kannywood.

The Premier League season concludes with a high-stakes encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday evening. Both sides come into this match on the back of losses: Tottenham fell 2-1 to Chelsea, while Everton suffered a 3-1 defeat at home against Sunderland.

For Tottenham, the situation is dire. Currently 17th with 38 points, they hold only a two-point advantage over 18th-placed West Ham United. A win against Everton would guarantee their top-flight status, while a draw might suffice thanks to a superior goal difference over West Ham. Anything less could spell disaster, especially if West Ham secures a heavy victory over Leeds United.

On the other side, Everton, sitting 12th with 49 points, still harbor ambitions of a top-half finish for the first time in five years. To achieve that, they need to beat Tottenham and hope that both Newcastle United and Sunderland drop points. European qualification is already out of reach after the Sunderland loss, but spoiling Tottenham’s survival plans remains a strong motivation.

The match carries immense weight: a win or draw for Everton could potentially relegate Tottenham, depending on other results. The Toffees are eager to finish the season on a positive note, while Spurs must deliver a performance to secure their Premier League future.

Kun Khalifat’s Chikamso Amaefula is expecting a challenging match when they host Wikki Tourists in the final fixture of the 2025–26 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The Owerri side faces Wikki Tourists at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday in a game that will determine their survival in the top flight.

Speaking to the club’s media, the defender stated that the team is focused on correcting mistakes from previous outings. “We are working hard to get better,” Amaefula said. “This will be a difficult contest, but our supporters believe in us. We must give everything to secure all three points.”

A win is non-negotiable for Kun Khalifat if they are to stay in the NPFL. The players are determined to rise to the occasion and deliver a performance worthy of the fans’ faith.

Kano Pillars striker Ahmed Musa has acknowledged the high stakes ahead of the season finale against Plateau United, describing it as a make-or-break encounter for both clubs. Speaking ahead of the Sunday showdown at the New Jos Stadium, the Nigerian international emphasized the importance of securing at least a point to ensure top-flight survival.

Musa, who has strong ties to both Kano and Jos, expressed his desire for both teams to retain their NPFL status. ‘This is going to be a tough match because each side needs a result to stay up,’ he remarked. ‘Jos is home to me, and I hope both clubs can remain in the league. Let’s see how it unfolds.’

The match will be played behind closed doors, a decision that Musa lamented. ‘It’s unfortunate the fans can’t be there,’ he added. ‘I urge them to keep us in their prayers so that both teams can achieve safety.’

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi has expressed immense joy after helping Hull City secure promotion back to the Premier League. The Nigerian international took to social media to celebrate the club’s hard-fought victory in the Championship playoff final.

Hull City edged past Middlesbrough 1-0 at Wembley Stadium, with Oli McBurnie scoring the decisive goal deep into stoppage time. This triumph marks the club’s return to England’s top flight after spending nine seasons in the Championship.

Ajayi, a former Rotherham United player, shared his elation on Instagram, writing: “God is the greatest. We did it. Up the Tigers!” The defender played a crucial role in the Tigers’ successful campaign, contributing to a solid defensive record that proved vital in the playoffs.

The victory means Hull City will join the Premier League elite for the 2026-27 season, reestablishing themselves among England’s best clubs. For Ajayi, this promotion represents a significant milestone in his career, giving him the opportunity to showcase his talents at the highest level of English football.

Fans and teammates have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, acknowledging the collective effort that made this achievement possible. The club’s management has already begun planning for the challenges ahead, with squad reinforcements expected to ensure a competitive return to the Premier League.

The goalkeeper of Kano Pillars, Destiny Abuchi, expressed strong confidence that his side will achieve a favorable outcome when they face Plateau United in their 38th league fixture of the season. He emphasized the importance of the match for the team’s survival in the top division.

According to Abuchi, the Sai Masu Gida require at least a single point to guarantee their place in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for another season. He acknowledged that the upcoming contest at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday will be challenging for both opponents.

“I understand that this match will not be straightforward, but we are Pillars, and our objective is to claim all three points,” Abuchi stated in an interview with Inside Plateau Sports. “We are aiming for either a win or a draw to secure our position.”

Despite the difficulties, the shot-stopper praised Plateau United as one of the strongest clubs in the NPFL. However, he remains optimistic about his team’s chances. “We are facing a very capable side, but I believe we can overcome them and come out on top,” he added.

The Super Eagles camp for the Unity Cup in London has reached a total of 17 players, according to reports. Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, along with Chibuike Nwaiwu and Rafiu Durosinmi, were the newest additions to join the squad.

On Saturday, 14 players had already reported to the team’s base, setting the stage for preparations ahead of the semi-final encounter against Zimbabwe’s Warriors. Head coach Éric Chelle led the team through their first training session at Cray Valley FC, located on Middle Park Avenue in London, that same day.

The Nigerian side is scheduled to conduct a second practice session at the same venue later in the evening. The highly anticipated match against Zimbabwe is set to take place at the Valley in London on Tuesday.

The 2025-2026 English Premier League season officially concluded on Sunday, marking a somber day for three clubs as their relegation to the Championship was confirmed. West Ham United, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers will be playing in the second tier next season after finishing at the bottom of the table.

Wolves endured a particularly tough campaign, managing only 20 points from 38 matches, the lowest in the league. Burnley fared slightly better but still fell short with 22 points. West Ham, despite accumulating 39 points, could not avoid the drop after Tottenham Hotspur defeated Everton 1-0 at home, sealing the Hammers’ fate. The result meant West Ham could not leapfrog to safety on the final day.

At the other end of the spectrum, Arsenal were crowned champions of England, having secured the title ahead of Manchester City in the preceding days. The Gunners’ triumph added a silver lining to an otherwise dramatic conclusion to the season.