Brazil manager Tite said he won’t focus on things he can’t control after Friday’s World Cup draw in Moscow. The five-time world champions were placed in Group E with Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia — a trio of adversaries that don’t appear too daunting on paper — but would likely face Mexico or even Germany in the round of 16, depending on how the groups play out. “I’ve said this. I haven’t returned with a standard answer. But a conviction: The Brazilian team will come together and grow. Independently of qualification of their adversaries and their characteristics,” Tite said after…
Author: David Folami
Gareth Southgate agrees England will expect his side to reach the round of 16 thanks to an undeniably favourable draw for Russia 2018 but will be taking nothing for granted after recent disappointments. “There’s one team we know so much about in Belgium — one of the best teams in the world — and two teams we, at the moment, know a lot less about,” the 47-year-old said. “Panama, we’ve never played, and Tunisia have qualified through the African group, which is strong, so they’re to be respected. “We’re the second-ranked team in that group so it’s understandable how people…
Arsenal are ready to return for Jonny Evans in January despite having a £25 million bid for the defender rejected in August, reports have said. After selling Gabriel Paulista to Valencia in the summer, Arsene Wenger remains pimped up to recruit another centre-back with Evans leading the Gunners’ list of targets. The 29-year-old is also being watched by Manchester City as new West Brom boss Alan Pardew prepares to hold crunch talks over the Northern Irishman’s future. We wait and see.
Kevin De Bruyne’s recent heroics for Manchester City haven’t gone unseen, with Real Madrid stepping up their interest in the midfielder according to reports. Quotes from a source close to the player came out confirming that the La Liga champions have contacted De Bruyne’s agent Patrick De Koster over a potential transfer. The Belgium international has reportedly outlined his intention to stay at the Etihad Stadium, but Real Madrid are eager to make a high-profile signing after a period of relative inactivity in the transfer market. Should the Spanish giants make their move, it may also reignite Paris Saint-Germain’s long-held…
By now, Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to the Grammys. Between guest appearances on others’ songs and his debut album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Kendrick netted seven nominations at the 2014 Awards, though he somehow won none. Good Kid lost out on Album of the Year to Daft Punk; even more egregiously, it failed to win Best Rap Album, an award that, by overwhelming critical and fan consensus, it richly deserved. That golden gramophone was given instead to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s The Heist, and the ensuing outcry was such that Macklemore himself publicly acknowledged that Kendrick was robbed by…
It’s hard to make a splash with a wedding present – really, how many varieties of cut-glass bowls can you actually get? Especially when you happen to be celebrating the civil partnership of Elton John and David Furnish. What to buy the man who, seriously, must already have everything this good and stylish world has to offer? Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, John revealed one of the most unusual gifts he received for the occasion, which came from his longtime friend Eminem. Of course, the duo famously collaborated for a live performance of “Stan” at the 2001 Grammys, which…
Rihanna has thanked the “community” in her hometown of Bridgetown, Barbados after officials named a street after her. The 29-year-old singer grew up in the country’s capital Bridgetown, and in honour of her chart-topping and award-winning success, the street she lived on as a child has had its name officially changed to Rihanna Drive. It was announced back in October that the street, which was formerly known as Westbury New Road, would have its name changed in recognition of the “local superstar”, but Thursday marked the official opening of the renamed road. Rihanna attended a special ceremony in Bridgetown for…
Beyonce changes her email address every week. Ed Sheeran – who collaborated with the hitmaker on his track Perfect – has revealed how the pop superstar has to change her contact details once every few days. He said: “I have an email address I email [to get in touch with Beyonce]. It actually changes every week. So I emailed that and we got on the phone, and it’s been in the works since May.” Meanwhile, Sheeran was thrilled to get the songstress on the track, which is off his hit album Divide, and enjoyed having her input on the backing…
What doyou want for Christmas? Ciara asked and answered that question with a festive medley for ABC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” on Thursday (Nov. 30). Dressed in all white, CiCi played the role of a Christmas angel in front of the world famous Cinderella Castle at Disneyland. With backup dancers in tow, the multifaceted star performed renditions of “Jingle Bells” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” It was bushels of fun for the live audience. Not only were they mesmerized by Ciara’s singing and dancing on the elaborately decorated stage, but they were also treated to a spectacular…
The band Alternate Sound who have enjoyed a fine streak of form, held a live show in Lagos at Hard Rock Café. The live show which took place last week saw performances from Praiz, Kaffy, Terry Apala, Fiokee, Chike, Okemute, Isaac Geralds, Mel Rouge and many industry veterans newbies perform alongside the Alternate Sound band. The show also saw top celebrities like Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Dj Xclusive, Idyll, Efe, Dj Big N, Soma, Idia Aisien and more in attendance. With over 400 people in attendance at Hard Rock Café to witness the uniqueness that is Alternate Sound; all stops…
Oritsefemi has finally addressed the popular report concerning the clash of dates for his and Banky W’s wedding, but he only seems to have made things worse. During a recent interview, the “Double Wahala” singer denied that Banky W’s wedding outshined his. Oritsefemi even had the audacity to say that he had not even known that it was Banky’s wedding day. Oritsefemi also stated that his wedding did trend on Twitter, which further proves that his wedding did just fine. “Initially, I did not notice that people were comparing my wedding with Banky W’s but later, after the whole ceremony,…
Sunday Are will not be commenting on the issue he had with Tekno and apparently, it’s for the music industry’s good. He said this during a recent chat, adding that he would not be addressing the incident that happened at the “One Africa Music Fest.” Rumour had it that a fight had broken out between Wizkid and Davido’s crew after Tekno reportedly tried to shake Are’s hand. Other reports had claimed that Wizkid got punched on the nose although none of those involved made comments on the issue. Sunday Are added the music industry would be unhappy if he speaks…
Even though the final season of “Game Of Thrones” is still a long way from now, spoilers are already hitting the internet. According to new casting details that showed up online, House Frey may be returning for season 8 of the show. In season 7 premiere, Arya Stark murdered Walder Frey and his house members, who orchestrated the Red Wedding and killed her mother, brother, sister-in-law and unborn nephew. However, a recent casting detail implies that Danielle Galligan, who has been cast as the character Sarra, is a member of the loathed house. According to the GOT fan site Watchers…
Luxury cognac brand Hennessy have held their annual Hennessy Artistry close-out concert. The invite-only concert, which was held at Eko Atlantic, Lagos, was to be headlined by Voice of the street and legendary rapper Olamide, King of Afro-Dance Hall Timaya, versatile rapper and songwriter Falz, New School King Ycee. There were also performances from Mayorkun, Tiwa Savage, and Patoranking, who all murdered the stage.
Some of the freed Nigerian slaves in Libya have opened up about their fellow countrymen being part of the slave trade cartel. They described the Nigerians involved in the slave business as more wicked than the Libyans and other participants. Recounting their ordeal, some of the returnees said they also sold by Nigerians. “Nigerians and Libyans are doing the business like they are one big happy family,” Harrison Okotie, 32, said. Another returnee, Sunday Anyaegbunam, who hails from Edo state, said they were sold twice by Nigerians during their nine-day journey through the desert. He said their Nigerian “burger” (trafficker)…
Fedral Government has denied the claims by former vice president Atiku Abubakar that President Muhammadu Buhari was at a time denied entry into the United States for 15 years. Atiku recently said Buhari was not allowed to enter the US for 15 years because of “religious considerations.” Femi Adesina though has described Atiku’s claims as a “fictive concoction being passed off as truth”. “At no time was President Buhari, as a private person, ever forbidden from entering any country in the world. Rather, the rest of the world has always held Muhammadu Buhari as a man of sterling qualities, strong…
Chief James Ibori recently described Chief Raymond Dokpesi as a passionate loyalist of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he has suffered for the party. He said that the aspirant is enjoying huge confidence of party members because of his record and commitment. He pledged to give necessary support to the aspiration and prayed that God will guide him. Similarly, a chieftain of PDP in the state, Mr Ben Edo-Osagie, described Dokpesi as a “brave man with credibility”,adding that in spite of all intimidations, he remained in the party and “gave it his all.” “Credibility and total alliance is what is…
Atiku Abubakar has announced his decison to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party. Atiku disclosed his defection in a live Facebook message recently. He said he decided to “return home” now that issues which made him leave the PDP have been settled. Atiku had resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week, saying the ruling party has failed Nigerians and no longer stands for true democracy.
Kashim Shettima of Borno state has listed reasons the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan cannot be compared to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. “Comparing (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo and the people he worked with and those Jonathan worked with, you will understand why. “If you look at Obasanjo, hate him or love him, you have to respect Obasanjo for not only believing in the Nigerian project but for surrounding himself with men of quality. “If you mention Obasanjo, the names that readily come to mind are those of Oby Ezekwesili, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Nasiru el-Rufai, Nuhu Ribadu,…
The Nigeria Police Force have stepped forward to the defence of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) officials, who were accused of torturing and brutalising innocent citizens. They dismissed the allegations, saying that the unit is carrying out its duty fantastically well. Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar also supported the agitation for the scrapping of SARS. But the police urged Nigerians to disregard the protest and those behind it, saying SARS has lived up to its duty of curbing violent crimes. “As we speak, SARS is doing fantastically well across the country in reducing incidents of robbery to the barest minimum……