Sports

Super Falcons recover stolen cash after hotel theft suspect confesses

Published

2 hours ago

July 27, 2026

Super Falcons recover stolen cash after hotel theft suspect confesses

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have recovered cash stolen from several players after a suspect arrested in connection with the theft at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, reportedly confessed to the crime, bringing relief to the team’s camp ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The breakthrough comes days after members of the Nigerian women’s national team reported that money had disappeared from their hotel rooms during the final phase of their training camp in Casablanca before the squad relocated to Rabat for the tournament.

According to officials familiar with the investigation, Moroccan security authorities arrested a suspect following an intensive inquiry involving hotel management, security personnel and local law enforcement agencies.

The suspect reportedly admitted responsibility for the theft during interrogation, and authorities have commenced arrangements to ensure that all the affected players receive full restitution of their stolen money while criminal proceedings continue under Moroccan law.

The development was disclosed by Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles Media Officer, Colin Udoh, who said Moroccan authorities had made significant progress in the investigation.

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“I have been informed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft at the Super Falcons’ Marriott Hotel in Casablanca and has confessed. Full restitution will be made to the players while the law takes its course,” Udoh wrote on Sunday.

Earlier, Super Falcons midfielder Esther Okoronkwo revealed that she, team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defender Michelle Alozie were among the players whose cash was stolen.

Okoronkwo disclosed that the total amount taken exceeded $1,000, adding that hotel officials initially failed to provide satisfactory explanations after the incident was reported.

She also criticised the hotel’s initial response, alleging that some officials became dismissive while the players sought answers over the missing money.

The theft occurred while the Super Falcons were camped at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca as part of their preparations for the continental tournament.

Nigeria had opened its pre-tournament training camp in Mohammedia on July 15 before relocating to Rabat, where the nine-time African champions are scheduled to play all their Group C matches.

Following the reported theft, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) immediately engaged Moroccan authorities and hotel management, leading to a comprehensive investigation that reportedly included interviews, security reviews and the examination of surveillance footage.

The swift breakthrough has been welcomed by members of the Nigerian delegation, who expressed appreciation for the prompt response by Moroccan security agencies.

Although authorities have not officially disclosed the identity of the suspect or the exact amount recovered, investigators confirmed that arrangements are being made to return all stolen funds to the affected players.

The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face prosecution in accordance with Moroccan criminal law after the restitution process is completed.

Despite the off-field incident, the Super Falcons have maintained their focus on the 2026 WAFCON, with head coach Justine Madugu intensifying preparations for Nigeria’s opening Group C fixture against Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

The team held multiple training sessions at the AS FAR Training Ground as preparations gathered momentum ahead of the crucial opener.

Nigeria enters the tournament as Africa’s most successful women’s national team, having won a record 10 WAFCON titles, and is aiming to capture an unprecedented 11th continental championship.

The Super Falcons will face Malawi, Zambia and Egypt in Group C, with expectations high that the experienced squad can mount another successful title challenge.

The successful recovery of the stolen money has eased concerns within the team’s camp, allowing the players to concentrate fully on their quest to reclaim the African title.

Super Falcons recover stolen cash after hotel theft suspect confesses

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Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

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Anthony Joshua stuns Kristian Prenga with dramatic knockout to revive career

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Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

Published

32 minutes ago

July 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Global pop icon Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy

‘I Was Obsessed’: Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

Global pop icon Shakira has opened up about her decision to collaborate with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she was determined to have him on the track and that his powerful voice made him the ideal collaborator.

Global music icon Shakira has disclosed why she chose Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she wanted a strong masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound. Speaking in an interview that aired on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that the song’s energy and musical direction made Burna Boy the perfect choice for the collaboration.

According to Shakira, the tournament naturally carries a strong masculine identity, making Burna Boy the ideal fit for the collaboration. She explained that once she had completed the song, she felt she really needed a male vocal presence in the track because the World Cup carries a big male energy, and she wanted someone who could bring that powerful masculine voice into an Afrobeat setting. The Grammy-winning singer disclosed that although “Dai Dai” blends Afrobeat with Caribbean influences and elements of R&B, Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant musical identity. She added that Burna Boy’s artistry perfectly aligned with the creative direction she envisioned, noting that the song is very Afrobeat-inspired, although it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of R&B, but it is mostly Afrobeat.

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Shakira also admitted she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and had long hoped to work with the Nigerian singer on a major international project. She said she contacted him personally after completing the song and was delighted when he accepted the invitation. She confessed that she always loved Burna and always wanted to do something with him, adding that she was so obsessed about having Burna on this track and was incredibly glad that she got him. Despite waiting almost three weeks for Burna Boy to submit his verse, Shakira said she remained hopeful the collaboration would materialise. She recalled that she called him and asked if he was down to do it, and he responded positively. However, it took a while, and she waited for 20 days for him to send something, during which she began to wonder if he might not do it. The singer praised Burna Boy’s vocal performance, saying his contribution elevated the record beyond her expectations. She stated that when he finally sent his magic, it was absolutely perfect, and she could not imagine anybody else on the track because his voice worked so well on the song.

“Dai Dai” served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Shakira and Burna Boy delivering its debut performance during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The pair reunited for another performance during the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, joined by a star-studded lineup including Madonna, BTS, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. Additionally, 100 percent of the song’s royalties will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which provides education and soccer resources to children around the world.

Since its release on May 14, “Dai Dai” has enjoyed global success, breaking several music records. The song became the first to top Spotify’s newly launched Global Music Video Chart and also helped Burna Boy become the first African artiste to reach No. 1 on the Apple Music Global Top Songs chart. The collaboration also saw the Nigerian star set a new record for the highest monthly listeners by an African artiste, reaching 53 million on Spotify and 600 million on YouTube Music. “Dai Dai” also made history as the first official World Cup anthem to top the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. The song drew 41.5 million streams worldwide between July 3-9, 2026, and has amassed over 800 million combined streams across Spotify and YouTube Music, with the music video surpassing 500 million views on YouTube.

Burna Boy also made history as the first African artiste to perform at the newly introduced FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. The collaboration marked another successful World Cup project for Shakira, whose “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became one of football’s most iconic tournament songs after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For Burna Boy, the collaboration further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global stage, with “Dai Dai” emerging as one of the standout musical successes of the 2026 tournament.

Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

Sports

Anthony Joshua stuns Kristian Prenga with dramatic knockout to revive career

Published

1 day ago

July 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Anthony Joshua stuns Kristian Prenga with dramatic knockout to revive career and set up Tyson Fury showdown

British-Nigerian heavyweight star Anthony Joshua made a sensational return to the ring on Saturday night, overcoming two first-round knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga with a devastating second-round knockout at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia.

The victory marked Joshua’s first fight since recovering from a tragic road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in December 2025, which claimed the lives of two of his close friends and trainers. His return was widely regarded as one of the biggest tests of his resilience after months away from competitive boxing.

Joshua endured a nightmare opening round as Albanian-born heavyweight Prenga caught him with a powerful uppercut just 20 seconds into the contest, sending the former two-time unified world heavyweight champion crashing to the canvas.

Prenga continued to dominate the early exchanges and scored another knockdown later in the round, raising fears that Joshua’s comeback could end in a stunning upset.

However, the 36-year-old displayed the determination that has defined his boxing career. After surviving the opening round, Joshua returned for the second with renewed confidence, sharper movement and relentless aggression.

The former Olympic gold medallist quickly turned the fight around by landing a succession of heavy right hands that forced Prenga onto the ropes before delivering a crushing right hook that sent his opponent tumbling through the ropes.

The referee immediately waved off the contest after concluding that Prenga was unable to continue, handing Joshua one of the most dramatic comeback victories of his professional career.

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Speaking after the fight, Anthony Joshua praised Prenga for testing him but said the victory reflected the resilience needed to compete at the highest level of boxing.

According to Joshua, champions are defined not by avoiding adversity but by their ability to recover from difficult moments and finish strongly.

The victory improved Joshua’s professional record to 30 wins from 34 fights, with 27 victories coming by knockout, while Prenga suffered only the second defeat of his professional career.

The knockout was also Joshua’s 10th second-round stoppage, highlighting the explosive punching power that has made him one of the most successful heavyweight boxers of his generation.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, described the performance as one of the most courageous displays of the former champion’s career, praising his mental toughness after recovering from two early knockdowns.

Hearn said Joshua proved he still belongs among boxing’s elite heavyweights and remains capable of competing for major world titles.

The victory has also intensified anticipation for the proposed all-British heavyweight showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury, a contest many boxing fans have awaited for years.

With Fury also returning to winning ways, negotiations are expected to continue for what has been billed as the “Battle of Britain,” a fight that could become one of the biggest events in modern heavyweight boxing if final agreements are reached.

Joshua’s emphatic comeback victory not only restored momentum to his career but also reinforced his status as one of the sport’s leading heavyweight attractions.

For the British-Nigerian boxer, the triumph represents more than another win. It is a statement that he remains determined to challenge for world honours after overcoming personal tragedy and professional setbacks.

Anthony Joshua stuns Kristian Prenga with dramatic knockout to revive career

Sports

2026 Ballon d’Or: Kane, Yamal lead race for football’s biggest prize

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal

2026 Ballon d’Or: Kane, Yamal lead race for football’s biggest prize

With the curtain drawn on the 2025/26 football season following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention has shifted to one of football’s most prestigious honours—the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Unlike previous editions that featured a clear frontrunner, this year’s race has developed into one of the most competitive in recent memory. Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Jude Bellingham, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Michael Olise have all emerged as genuine contenders after outstanding campaigns for club and country.

The winner will be crowned at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled to take place in London on October 26, 2026, where Dembélé will hand over the trophy to his successor. The ceremony marks the award’s 70th anniversary, with London chosen in recognition of Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi remains the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history with eight titles, while Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five.

This year’s contest presents voters with contrasting cases, making it one of the most difficult Ballon d’Or decisions in years. Kane has built his campaign on extraordinary consistency. The Bayern Munich striker enjoyed another prolific season, scoring heavily in both domestic and international competitions to strengthen his credentials as the world’s most clinical goalscorer.

Yamal, however, has combined individual brilliance with major silverware. The Barcelona teenager enhanced his reputation by playing a pivotal role in Spain’s triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding international glory to another exceptional club campaign.

Messi has once again forced his way into the conversation after inspiring Argentina to another World Cup final. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner produced another remarkable tournament, proving his influence on the global stage remains unmatched.

Mbappé has equally strengthened his case after finishing as the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner with another outstanding scoring display for France, while continuing his prolific form with Real Madrid.

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Rodri also remains firmly in contention after guiding Spain to World Cup glory and delivering another series of commanding midfield performances that reinforced his reputation as one of football’s most influential players.

Defending Ballon d’Or holder Dembélé has continued to impress for Paris Saint-Germain, while Bellingham, Kvaratskhelia and Olise have all received growing recognition from football analysts and supporters worldwide.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Kane deserves to win football’s biggest individual prize based on his performances over the last year. According to Carragher, the Bayern Munich striker has been the outstanding individual performer and should be rewarded for his consistency. However, he admitted that World Cup success often influences Ballon d’Or voting, meaning players from the tournament’s winning nation could enjoy an advantage.

Before the World Cup, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri publicly backed Yamal to become a future Ballon d’Or winner. Following Spain’s World Cup triumph, that prediction now appears even more realistic, with the Barcelona winger widely regarded as one of the strongest favourites for this year’s award.

Former France defender William Gallas believes Yamal now holds a stronger claim than Kane. Gallas argues that while Kane’s goalscoring numbers are exceptional, winning the World Cup remains one of football’s greatest achievements and traditionally carries enormous influence when Ballon d’Or voters cast their ballots.

Former Arsenal and France defender Bacary Sagna believes Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise deserves greater recognition. Sagna described Olise as “an artist on the pitch” and suggested the French winger could have become a serious Ballon d’Or contender had Bayern Munich lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy.

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Across international football media, the debate has increasingly narrowed to Kane and Yamal. While Kane’s supporters point to his remarkable goal return and consistency throughout the season, Yamal’s backers argue that combining elite club performances with a World Cup triumph gives him the stronger overall case.

A readers’ poll conducted by French newspaper L’Équipe placed Mbappé ahead of Kane and Yamal. Supporters highlighted his remarkable World Cup campaign, Golden Boot success and continued goalscoring exploits for Real Madrid as reasons he deserves the award.

Messi has once again become one of the biggest talking points in the Ballon d’Or debate. Several international football analysts believe his inspirational World Cup performances have placed him firmly back among the leading contenders, raising the possibility of an unprecedented ninth Ballon d’Or triumph.

Despite fierce competition, Dembélé remains a serious contender. The Paris Saint-Germain winger has followed up his 2025 Ballon d’Or victory with another impressive campaign, ensuring he remains among the leading candidates for back-to-back awards.

Several other players continue to receive strong support as the Ballon d’Or debate intensifies. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham remains one of Europe’s standout performers, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has earned widespread praise for another outstanding campaign.

Norway striker Erling Haaland also remains part of the wider conversation following another prolific season, while Michael Olise’s emergence has established him as one of Europe’s fastest-rising attacking talents.

The final outcome could depend on what voters value most. If goals and consistency prove decisive, Kane may have the advantage. If international success becomes the deciding factor, Yamal and Rodri could move ahead after Spain’s World Cup triumph. If tournament brilliance outweighs everything else, Messi and Mbappé both possess compelling arguments after their memorable World Cup performances.

With the Ballon d’Or voting process approaching, the race remains completely open, setting the stage for one of the most unpredictable editions in the award’s history.