Category: Entertainment

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Mr. Ossai Success, has voiced his disappointment over the online ridicule directed at Pastor Jerry Eze following the demise of Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo.

As earlier reported by DAILY POST, the cleric faced a barrage of criticism after a photo showing him praying for the late actor resurfaced on social media platforms. Critics questioned why the pastor’s prayers failed to heal Ekubo, who had been battling cancer for an extended period before passing away on Tuesday.

In response, Ossai took to his official Facebook page to assert that divine healing remains a reality for believers. He wrote: “I am deeply let down by those who are mocking Pastor Jerry Eze for praying over Alex Ekubo, simply because he eventually succumbed to cancer.”

He added, “Whether you accept it or not, God continues to perform healings and miracles. Do not mock your way to ruin. Just because Alex received prayers does not guarantee he would not die. God alone knows what is best.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has sounded a warning for Arsenal ahead of the Champions League final, describing Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the finest winger currently playing.

Murphy, who also represented Fulham during his playing days, expects Arsenal to deploy Cristhian Mosquera at right-back if Jurrien Timber is not fully fit for the clash. Mosquera, a natural center-half, may find it tough against the Georgian international.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Murphy acknowledged the challenge: “It doesn’t bear thinking about, does it?” regarding the prospect of facing Kvaratskhelia. He added that Mosquera is a defender with pace who can play at right-back, position himself well, and compete one-on-one. “It’s not the end of the world, but it’s not ideal,” Murphy said.

“He is currently the best winger in the world. He has incredible physicality and strength, combined with a sharp football brain: he knows when to release the ball quickly and when to hold onto it, and he can go past players.” Murphy also highlighted the Georgian’s ability to play on either flank, noting PSG’s versatility with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue also able to switch sides. “It’s a massive test for Arsenal; they will need an outstanding performance to win on the night,” he concluded.

Jose Mourinho’s move back to Real Madrid is reportedly in its advanced stages, with negotiations between the Portuguese manager and the LaLiga giants intensifying. According to reliable sources, Mourinho, currently at Benfica, is on the brink of sealing a return to the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of next season.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano shared via social media that discussions have been constructive, though the final green light from club president Florentino Perez is still pending. Romano noted that the deal might be influenced by upcoming presidential elections at Real Madrid, but Mourinho remains eager and prepared for the challenge.

The 63-year-old tactician is poised to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over as interim coach following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal in January. Mourinho’s second stint at the Spanish capital aims to bring stability and success to a team that has faced managerial upheaval this campaign.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shed light on his decision to bench star players Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. The Catalan tactician made six alterations to his starting lineup for the midweek fixture.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola emphasized the need to rotate his squad due to a grueling schedule. He noted that the team would be traveling to London for an FA Cup final against Chelsea, followed by a trip to Bournemouth, who are in excellent form.

Guardiola stated that he trusts every player in his squad, regardless of whether they start or not. He acknowledged that decisions are often judged based on results, but he remains committed to making choices he believes are best for the team.

The Manchester City boss also highlighted the challenges of travel and recovery, pointing out that Chelsea will have had a full week to prepare for the cup final while City have just three days between matches.

In a stellar performance at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships, world-record holder Tobi Amusan captured the women’s 100m hurdles title on Wednesday, earning Nigeria its first gold medal of the event. This victory marks Amusan’s third time winning the 100m hurdles crown at these championships, solidifying her dominance on the continent.

The race saw Zimbabwe’s Ashley Miller take home the silver medal, while Nigeria’s Adaobi Tabugbo rounded out the podium with a bronze finish. For Tabugbo, this achievement represents her first individual medal at a major international competition, a promising milestone in her career.

With Amusan’s gold, Nigeria’s total medal count at Accra 2026 now stands at one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. The team’s performance continues to highlight the depth of talent in Nigerian athletics.

Nigerian striker Akor Adams continued his impressive form by finding the back of the net for the second consecutive match, helping Sevilla secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Villarreal on Wednesday night. The visitors overcame a two-goal deficit to claim all three points in a thrilling encounter.

Villarreal started strongly, taking a 2-0 lead within the opening 20 minutes thanks to goals from Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze. However, Sevilla refused to capitulate. Oso pulled one back in the 36th minute, and Kike Salas leveled the score just before halftime.

The match turned in Sevilla’s favor when Adams scored the decisive goal with 18 minutes remaining, completing the comeback. This goal marked Adams’ 10th league goal of the season, highlighting his growing influence for the Rojiblancos.

Sevilla will now prepare to host Real Madrid in their next LaLiga fixture on Sunday, aiming to build on this momentum.

Abia Angels have expressed gratitude to their head coach, Mario Eshalomi, for steering the team to a spot in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Super Six playoffs. The club officially recognized his pivotal role in their successful campaign on Wednesday.

The Abia State side secured their playoff berth alongside Robo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons from NWFL Conference B, marking a significant achievement for the team.

According to the club, Eshalomi transformed the squad’s mindset and instilled a winning belief. “Coach Mario came in and changed the mentality. He made us believe we belonged in the Super 6,” a statement from the club read.

Eshaloni joined Abia Angels from Rivers Angels, the former NWFL champions. Before that, he had coaching stints with Delta Queens and Royal Queens, bringing a wealth of experience to his new role.

Bichi First FC is set for a major boost as midfielder Umar Sani makes his return from a minor injury just in time for the 2026 President Federation Cup. The team, which competes in the Nigeria National League (NNL), had been missing Sani’s creative presence in recent matches.

Sani played an instrumental role in helping Bichi First secure their place in the cup’s final rounds. His recovery is a timely addition for the side, which is determined to make a deep run in the tournament.

The club, representing Kano alongside NPFL side Barau FC, is now focused on the upcoming Round of 64. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to confirm the exact date for these matches, but preparations are already underway.

Sani’s experience and energy in midfield will be crucial as Bichi First looks to challenge stronger opponents. His return has lifted spirits within the squad, with teammates and fans optimistic about their chances in the competition.

Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, has declared that his rapport with arch-rivals Barcelona is utterly shattered. In a candid interview with El Chiringuito, he leveled serious allegations against the Catalan club, accusing them of systematically bribing referees over a span of twenty years.

Perez explicitly referenced the Negreira case, demanding full accountability and justice. He stated, “My connection with Barcelona is completely destroyed. I refuse to have any dealings with a club that has been compensating officials for two decades. Justice must prevail in this severe matter.”

The Real Madrid chief also revealed that his club is preparing a comprehensive 500-page document to submit to UEFA next week. This dossier will outline what Perez describes as persistent sporting inequities, further escalating the tension between the two Spanish giants.

Nigeria’s Falconets are set to be part of Pot 2 when the draw for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup takes place at the EC1 Cultural Centre on Friday. The Nigerian squad, coached by Moses Aduku, secured their place in the tournament after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Malawi’s Young Scorchers.

This will be the Falconets’ 15th appearance at the event, which is scheduled to run from September 5 to September 27, 2026. They are one of four African nations competing, alongside Ghana, Tanzania, and Benin.

Other teams in Pot 2 include the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand. The draw will determine the group stage matchups for all participating teams.