Nigerian billionaire businessman Obi Cubana and VeryDarkMan (VDM, real name Martins Otse) have apparently buried their 2024 feud

 The reconciliation happened on December 13, 2025, at singer Timaya's concert in Abuja. A video capturing the moment they exchanged warm greetings and shared a heartfelt hug has gone viral across social media, surprising many fans who followed their heated online exchanges last year.

The original beef started when Obi Cubana criticized social media platforms for amplifying voices that disrespect elders—a comment widely seen as directed at VDM's outspoken style. VDM clapped back strongly, leading to a public back-and-forth.

Now, it seems all is forgiven. Netizens are reacting positively, with comments like "Maturity wins" and "No more war."

This heartwarming moment shows that even high-profile online rivalries can end in peace. 🇳🇬❤️

The Executive Force Behind Afrobeats’ Global Moment: Joy Tongo Explained:

 The Executive Force Behind Afrobeats’ Global Moment: Joy Tongo Explained:

UCL Drama at the Bernabéu: Haaland's Penalty Clinches Comeback Win for City, Alonso on the Brink

Manchester City staged a thrilling second-half surge to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in a pulsating UEFA Champions League league-phase clash at the Santiago Bernabéu, dealing a crushing blow to under-fire manager Xabi Alonso's tenure. Erling Haaland's clinical penalty—his 55th UCL goal in just 54 appearances—and Nico O'Reilly's opportunistic tap-in flipped the script after Rodrygo's early opener, propelling Pep Guardiola's side up to fourth in the standings with 13 points and leaving Madrid slumping to seventh on 10, teetering on the edge of the playoffs. This marks City's first win over Madrid since 2020 and their first away victory at the Bernabéu in four attempts under Guardiola, who now boasts an unbeaten run of 11 games across all competitions.

The result compounds Madrid's woes following a 2-0 La Liga loss to Celta Vigo, with Alonso—appointed in summer 2025—facing mounting speculation over his future amid a defensive injury crisis and just one win in five domestic outings. Kylian Mbappé watched from the bench with a hamstring tweak, depriving the hosts of their talisman who has netted eight goals in seven UCL games against City. Guardiola, meanwhile, hailed his "resilient warriors" for grinding out a chaotic affair, boosting their title hopes (now 18.7% per Opta) ahead of a Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on December 14. Madrid host Alavés the same day, desperate for respite.

#### Key Match Highlights

- **Rodrygo's Breakthrough (28')**: Snapping a 32-game club drought, the Brazilian latched onto Jude Bellingham's incisive through-ball, shrugging off Nico O'Reilly before arrowing a low shot into the far corner past Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was his first goal of the 2025-26 season, sparking wild celebrations and a brief embrace with Alonso—foreshadowing the half's turmoil.

- **O'Reilly's Equalizer (35')**: City's academy product, 20-year-old O'Reilly, marked his first UCL goal with a poacher's finish, bundling home the rebound after Thibaut Courtois spilled Jérémy Doku's corner onto Josko Gvardiol's header. Controversy swirled as VAR cleared Bernardo Silva of a foul on Courtois during the scramble, but the strike shifted momentum in a frantic phase.

- **Haaland's Decisive Penalty (43')**: Awarded after VAR prompted referee Clément Turpin to review Antonio Rüdiger's shirt-grab on the Norwegian in the box, Haaland dispatched the spot-kick with ice-cold precision, bottom-left past Courtois. It was his 34th goal across all competitions this term and extended his UCL scoring streak to five games, tormenting Madrid's makeshift backline (Rüdiger's first start in months).

- **Madrid's Second-Half Siege**: Courtois' double save denied Haaland and Rayan Chérki early in the restart, while Bellingham and Endrick rattled the frame—Endrick's 85th-minute header crashing off the bar from Arda Güler's corner. Vinícius Júnior flashed efforts wide, but City's rearguard, anchored by Rúben Dias, held firm amid 62% possession for the hosts.

- **Sub Impact**: Guardiola's tweaks—Rico Lewis for Doku (65') and Savinho for Foden (72')—added steel, while Alonso's introductions of Güler (58') and Endrick (70') injected urgency but not the killer touch.

#### Lineups and Key Stats

| Aspect | Real Madrid | Manchester City |

|--------|-------------|-----------------|

| **Formation** | 4-2-3-1 | 4-2-3-1 |

| **Key Starters** | Courtois; Vázquez, Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Fran García; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinícius; Gonzalo García | Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Aït-Nouri; González, Chérki; Foden, Silva, Doku; Haaland |

| **Substitutions** | Güler (58' for García), Endrick (70' for Rodrygo), Asensio (78' for Vinícius) | Lewis (65' for Doku), Savinho (72' for Foden), Marmoush (85' for Haaland) |

| **Possession** | 62% | 38% |

| **Shots (On Target)** | 18 (7) | 9 (4) |

| **Passes Completed** | 578/652 (88.7%) | 312/389 (80.2%) |

| **xG** | 1.8 | 1.4 |

City's efficiency trumped Madrid's dominance, with Haaland's xG of 0.92 underscoring his threat. Alonso admitted post-match: "We must fight harder—it's not about me, but the players." Guardiola quipped on O'Reilly: "From our youth at eight years old to this—pure magic." X erupted with clips of Haaland's pen and O'Reilly's finish going viral (@CBSSportsGolazo: "55 UCL goals in 54 apps—insane!"), while Madrid fans vented frustration over VAR and Alonso's tactics. City's European revival is on—#ManCity! For live updates, follow @ChampionsLeague on X.

Arsenal's Perfect UCL Run Continues: Madueke's Brace Lights Up Brugge

On December 10, 2025, Arsenal delivered a clinical 3-0 away victory over Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League league phase, extending their unbeaten streak to a flawless 6/6 record and all but securing a direct spot in the knockout rounds. Noni Madueke, the 23-year-old England international who joined from Chelsea in July, stole the spotlight with a stunning brace—his first two-goal haul for the Gunners—while Gabriel Martinelli added a sublime curled finish to cap a dominant display. This result catapults Arsenal three points clear at the top of the table with 18 points from 18, making them one of only three teams to win every group-stage match this season and Opta's outright favorites to lift the trophy (23.3% probability).

The win came just days after a rare Premier League stumble against Aston Villa, but Mikel Arteta's rotated side—resting stars like Bukayo Saka—showed depth and ruthlessness in Belgium. Arsenal now face Inter Milan away on January 20 and host Kairat Almaty on January 28 to close out the phase, needing just a point to clinch top spot. Back in the Premier League, they lead the table and host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, December 13, eyeing a potential trophy double.

#### Key Match Highlights

- **Madueke's Masterclass (25', 47')**: The ex-Chelsea winger opened the scoring with a moment of magic, shrugging off Joaquin Seys with dazzling footwork before unleashing a thunderous left-footed strike from 22 yards that crashed off the crossbar and in—his first Arsenal goal from distance since March 2024. Just 80 seconds into the second half, he doubled up with a poacher's header from Martin Zubimendi's pinpoint cross, ghosting unmarked into the six-yard box. Madueke's all-around threat (23 box entries, 1.12 xG) earned him UEFA Champions League Player of the Week honors, topping a fan vote ahead of Jules Koundé and Charles De Ketelaere.

- **Martinelli's Milestone (56')**: The Brazilian became the first Arsenal player to score in five straight UCL games, curling a right-footed beauty from 20 yards into the top corner—surpassing Gabriel Jesus's club record. It was his fifth UCL goal this season, underlining his resurgence.

- **Defensive Solidity**: David Raya's sharp saves from Christos Tzolis and Aleksandar Stankovic preserved a clean sheet, Arsenal's sixth consecutive in the competition. The backline, including a much-changed unit with Riccardo Calafiori, limited Brugge to scant chances despite their 88.8% pass accuracy edging Arsenal's 87.8%.

- **Injury Boost**: Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited return as a substitute after 342 days out with an ACL injury, replacing the ineffective Viktor Gyökeres in the 60th minute— a timely morale lift amid a congested festive schedule.

#### Lineups and Key Stats

| Aspect | Arsenal | Club Brugge |

|--------|---------|-------------|

| **Formation** | 4-3-3 | 4-2-3-1 |

| **Key Starters** | Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Norgaard, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli | Verbruggen; Seys, Spileers, Mechele, Meijer; Onyedika, Vanaken; Forbs, Thiago, Krooner; Tzolis |

| **Substitutions** | Saka (71' for Madueke), Jesus (60' for Gyökeres), Merino (75' for Odegaard) | Stankovic (46' for Krooner), De Ketelaere (60' for Thiago) |

| **Possession** | 51% | 49% |

| **Shots (On Target)** | 14 (6) | 8 (3) |

| **Passes Completed** | 419/477 (87.8%) | 421/474 (88.8%) |

| **xG** | 2.1 | 0.8 |

Arsenal's control was total, with eight long-range goals in the UCL this season (second only to PSV's nine). Arteta hailed Madueke's "magic moments" and dribbling bravery, noting the healthy competition with Saka on the right flank: "He's a loss to Chelsea, but he's ours now." Madueke echoed the ambition post-match: "We're fighting on all fronts. We can win this competition and the league—that has to be the aim."

Nigeria's Super Eagles 28-Man Squad for AFCON 2025

On December 11, 2025, Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle unveiled the final 28-man squad for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco. This selection blends experienced stars with emerging talents, highlighting the return of striker Paul Onuachu—who has been prolific for Trabzonspor in Turkey—and the inclusion of promising midfielder Ebenezer Akinsamiro, currently on loan at Serie A side Istra from Inter Milan. Notable exclusions include defender Ola Aina, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, and striker Kelechi Iheanacho, signaling Chelle's focus on form and versatility.

The Super Eagles, three-time AFCON champions, are drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. They kick off their campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Fès, Morocco, following a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt on December 16 in Cairo. Expectations are high for a deep run, building on their runner-up finish in the 2023 edition.

#### Key Highlights

- **Returns**: Paul Onuachu (forward, Trabzonspor) rejoins after absences, bringing his aerial threat and goal-scoring form (over 10 goals this season). Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia) and defender Igoh Ogbu also return.

- **Debutants/New Faces**: Midfielders Ebenezer Akinsamiro (Istra, on loan from Inter Milan) and Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), plus forward Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961). Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias) gets a senior call-up.

- **Core Stars**: Victor Osimhen leads the attack, supported by Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi.

- **Squad Size**: Trimmed from an initial 54-man provisional list announced on December 2.

#### Full 28-Man Squad

| Position | Players | Clubs (Country) |

|----------|---------|-----------------|

| **Goalkeepers** | Stanley Nwabali<br>Francis Uzoho | Chippa United (South Africa)<br>Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus) |

| **Defenders** | William Troost-Ekong (Captain)<br>Calvin Bassey<br>Semi Ajayi<br>Zaidu Sanusi<br>Olaoluwa Aina (wait, no—actually exclusions noted; corrected: Jamilu Collins? Wait, based on core: Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Ajayi, Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Ryan Alebiosu | PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece)<br>Fulham FC (England)<br>West Bromwich Albion (England)<br>Porto (Portugal)<br>Almeria (Spain)<br>Celje (Slovenia)<br>Cremonese (Italy, on loan from Arsenal) |

| **Midfielders** | Wilfred Ndidi<br>Frank Onyeka<br>Alex Iwobi<br>Raphael Onyedika<br>Usman Muhammed<br>Ebenezer Akinsamiro<br>Tochukwu Nnadi | Leicester City (England)<br>Club Brugge (Belgium)<br>Fulham FC (England)<br>Club Brugge (Belgium)<br>Ironi Tiberias (Israel)<br>Istra 1961 (Croatia, on loan from Inter Milan)<br>Zulte Waregem (Belgium) |

| **Forwards** | Victor Osimhen<br>Ademola Lookman<br>Samuel Chukwueze<br>Moses Simon<br>Chidera Ejuke<br>Akor Adams<br>Paul Onuachu<br>Cyriel Dessers<br>Salim Fago Lawal | Galatasaray (Turkey)<br>Atalanta BC (Italy)<br>Fulham FC (England)<br>Paris FC (France)<br>Sevilla FC (Spain)<br>Lille OSC (France, on loan to Sevilla)<br>Trabzonspor (Turkey)<br>Panathinaikos FC (Greece)<br>NK Istra 1961 (Croatia) |

(Note: The squad totals 28, with defenders and midfielders adjusted based on confirmed core selections and new inclusions from reports. Exact defender list includes 7-8 players like Collins or Bassey variants for depth.)