Leaving Manchester United for Inter Milan has reinvigorated Romelu Lukaku and the striker is happy and hungry as he enters an important phase of his playing career, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has said.

Belgium international Lukaku joined Inter last month, ending a two-year spell at United, which began well, but ended with him battling for a place in the team.

The 26-year-old has scored two league goals in as many games in Italy and Martinez is confident Lukaku's bright start to life in the Serie A can translate into success for the national team.

"This is the first time I've seen him free and happy. Going back to many camps, I've not seen Rom so focused, so happy, so refreshed by the new challenge," Martinez told reporters ahead of Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier in Scotland.

"I think he's now ready to face one of the biggest chapters in his career with the Inter move. He's driven to be as good as he can for the national team... I've been impressed."

Lukaku's short time in Italy has not been without problems, however, with the striker subjected to racist abuse by Cagliari supporters last week.

But Martinez said the incident had not affected Lukaku's mood during international duty.

"I haven't seen a difference," Martinez added.

"It's true he was sad with the episode he had to go through, but I'm sure that is something that everyone... will try to help him with, and try to eradicate.

"There's no tolerance for that kind of behaviour."

Belgium are top of Group I, with 15 points after five wins.

Rafael Nadal held off a strong comeback bid to win his 19th Grand Slam title by edging Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in a thrilling U.S. Open final that lasted nearly five hours Sunday.

This one was not easy for the second-seeded Nadal. Not at all. That's because after Nadal grabbed the opening two sets and went up a break in third, Medvedev mounted a charge, shifting styles and rattling Nadal.

Medvedev broke in the last game of each of the next two sets to force a fifth. But his attempt to become the first man since 1949 to win a U.S. Open final after trailing by two sets to none came up just short.

Nadal broke to lead 3-2 in the fifth and again for 5-2. But he failed to serve out the victory there, double-faulting on break point, then couldn't convert two match points at 5-3.

At 5-4, Nadal saved a break point, and finally converted his third championship point to earn his fourth trophy at Flushing Meadows.

Add that to 12 at the French Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the Australian Open, and Nadal is now only one major trophy behind Roger Federer for the most by a man in tennis history.

Some 25,000 Argentine soccer fans on Sunday cheered the country's legendary World Cup winner Diego Maradona as he kicked off his new role as coach of the local club Gimnasia y Esgrima to revive the struggling team.

"We are going to get ahead together," the 58-year-old former striker told fans at a stadium in the city of La Plata just outside Buenos Aires on his first day of training with the team known as "El Lobo," or The Wolf.

Maradona, widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, was hired to turn around the fortunes of Gimnasia, which was formed in 1887 and has won just one professional title, the Copa Centenario, in 1993. It is now last in its division and is struggling not to slip into a lower category.

Some 500 limited-edition shirts with Maradona's former number 10 sold out in a few hours, the club said.

Since talks between Gimnasia and Maradona began, thousands of fans have lined up in front of the club's headquarters to register as members and to secure a spot in matches.

Maradona most recently coached in Mexico, where he led second division side Dorados of Sinaloa to two unsuccessful playoff appearances.

​Barcelona are ready to offer Lionel Messi a lifetime contract to tie him to the club even after his retirement.

The Argentine's contract situation has dominated headlines in recent days after club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed Messi has a clause in his current contract which would allow him to ​walk away from free at the end of the current season.

However, according to ​Mundo Deportivo, ​Barcelona are not concerned about the future of their talisman, and they are prepared to offer him a lifetime contract as a sign of their undying commitment to ​Messi.

This is by no means a new idea for Barcelona officials, who have toyed with the idea of offering Messi such a contract for months, but plans have started to be put into motion as a result of all the recent speculation.

Having said that, the champions of ​La Liga are in no rush to force through the deal, as they are believed to be completely confident that Messi remains 100% committed to the club. Formal negotiations are expected to begin in the coming months.

Barcelona believe that Messi will remain at the club until at least 2022, so as to feature for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar that year. After that tournament, he will begin to think about his next move.

It is thought that Messi would like to return to Argentina to play for Newell's Old Boys before he retires, whilst a stint in ​Major League Soccer is also suggested, and Barcelona are completely happy to allow Messi to fulfil either dream before returning to Camp Nou in some capacity.

Their lifetime contract will permit Messi to leave the club temporarily, and he will then be allowed to return to Camp Nou and effectively pick whatever staff role he wants to do following his inevitable retirement.

In his 687 appearances for Barcelona, Messi has racked up an outrageous 603 goals and 242 assists, and the Blaugrana believe that he has earned the right to choose his next move.

The South African government has described its relationship with Nigeria as firm as President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to visit in October.

This reassurance was given over rising tension as a result of reported xenophobic attack against Nigerians and their businesses in South Africa.

The South African presidency in a statement said: “His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari will undertake a State Visit to South Africa in October 2019 to reinforce the strong bonds between the two countries and jointly develop responses to challenges affecting people and businesses in South Africa and Nigeria.

“In the wake of public violence in South Africa and developments in Nigeria around South African businesses based in the West African country, President Cyril Ramaphosa held discussions yesterday, Friday 6 September 2019, with Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Special envoy of The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The visit to Pretoria by the Special Envoy followed a recent meeting between Presidents Ramaphosa and Buhari in Yokohama, Japan, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.

“In yesterday’s discussion, the Special Envoy conveyed President Buhari’s concern at recent events in South Africa, in the context of the strong and cordial relations that characterise the interaction between the two countries.

President Buhari conveyed his commitment to the values of prosperity and the advancement of Africa that are shared by South Africa and Nigeria.”

The South African government noted that Nigeria has expressed willingness to in establishing the root causes of the violence.

“Nigeria stands ready to assist South Africa in establishing the root causes of and developing sustainable solutions to the challenges concerned.

“President Buhari has undertaken that where challenges emerge in Nigeria, the Nigerian government will act against lawlessness and the targeting of South African assets in Nigeria.

"President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa-Nigeria relations as being firm and strong and said the two partners were resolute in their shared commitment to build an Africa at peace with itself and others.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government denied reports that at least one explosion has rocked the South African embassy in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The denial was issued by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement signed by his media aide Segun Adeyemi on Saturday, September 7.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah boasts similarities to Lionel Messi and can become even better if he tones down his obsession with goals, according to Arsene Wenger.

The ex-Arsenal coach, who recently hinted at a possible return to management in the international arena , believes the Reds attacker's game is comparable to Messi's but is still missing a few crucial ingredients.

Aside from a few more goals, Wenger also stressed Salah has to learn when to go for goal himself and when to pass it to a teammate.

"He's 20 goals away basically, if you want to be as concrete as possible," Wenger told beIN Sports .

"But he is similar to Messi. He must still find the consistency of Messi. I find him a just as good finisher but Messi is the complete thing - he gives the final ball as well and Salah is a bit obsessed now by finishing himself so that's a dimension he'll get certainly when he gets a little bit older. To find the moment when you have to give the ball and when you have to finish.

"I like him very much, he has huge potential."

In Liverpool's recent 3-0 win over Burnley, Salah was criticised after failing to pass to Sadio Mane in the second half when his fellow attacker was in a far better position.

While Salah is the star of the Reds frontline, Mane and Roberto Firmino have also been consistent performers for Jurgen Klopp's side with Wenger praising the Brazilian striker in particular for his selfless style of play.

"You forget the guy that sacrifices himself a little bit is Firmino," he said.

"Like Luis Suarez did for Messi and Neymar. A guy that works for the team, that works for everybody and gets them to shine.

"This piece of the jigsaw is very hard to find - a striker that is generous."

Since stepping aside from Arsenal in 2018, Wenger has avoided jumping straight back into management but admits he remains obsessed with the beautiful game.

"I needed longer than I thought to take a distance from what I did before. To really let it settle," Wenger said.

"I took a distance and realised I was living like somebody in a coma for 35 years and who woke up and saw something different in life other than just my club, my game and my work.

"I watch it still when I wake up in the morning - straight in my mind is football. My main interest is still there."

Residents of hostels in eastern Johannesburg, South Africa, marched along Jules Street in the area on Sunday, September 8, demanding that "foreigners must go back to where they came from".

According to Sowetan Live, the marchers carried weapons such as knobkerries, as they headed to Jules Park, where they were to be addressed by a Zulu tribe leader and notable politician, Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Legit.ng gathers that without indicating reasons for their call, the group has maintained that it wants foreign nationals to leave.

South African President Cyril Ramphosa had condemned the attacks on foreigners, in the past week.

However, the leadership of the hostel dwellers in Johannesburg asked the government to engage citizens about finding solutions to the clashes with foreign nationals.

Speaking in eastern Johannesburg, chairman of the hostel headmen (izinduna) in Gauteng, Siphiwe Mhlongo, said: “We are not happy with how government has tried to resolve the problems that the country is facing.

“The government must come speak to the people and explain what it is going to do with the foreign nationals who are here illegally.”

Mhlongo said residents were angry that foreign nationals were taking jobs, and were also not happy about the drugs and RDP houses being owned by foreigners.

He said: "Everyone who is in South Africa has that feeling that foreign nationals must go back home. But we don't say foreign nationals must be beaten up; we are leaders."

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Catholic bishops in South Africa lashed out at the government for saying the attack against Nigeria was carried out by a few criminal elements.

Buti Tigagale, a South African Catholic archbishop, said what happened in the country could only be described as xenophobia.

The archbishop said no arrests were made while Nigerian businesses were being attacked and looted.

Source: Legit NG

Former Mavin first lady, Tiwa Savage feels so excited as her new track with the video of 49-99 goes up in London electronic billboard days after appearing on new york times square billboard.

She also posted it trending on her instagram page.

View this post on Instagram

And we up in LA California ... West Sideeee My whole team going HARD #4999 Out NOW on all streaming platforms. Link in my bio

A post shared by Tiwa Savage (@tiwasavage) on Sep 8, 2019 at 10:18am PDT

WizKid’s ex girlfriend and mother of one, Sophia Alakija rock beautiful owanbe attires for an event. She looks so radiant and charming.

Ned Nwoko’s newest bride, Regina Daniels is currently in Dubai enjoying her summer vacation.

The Nollywood actress was spotted holding a live snake while she plays with it.

Checkout a new video for Lyta’s scintillating remix of his latest single “Monalisa”. It features one of Africa’s biggest music stars, Davido.

Video directed by DK, produced by Killertunes.

Watch below

Lyta - Monalisa Remix (Official Video) ft. DaVido – 03:17
— LytaVEVO

Former Nigerian beauty queen and actress turned Nurse, Regina Askia Williams, celebrated her daughter, Teesa, as she graduated high school.

The proud mom posted some of her graduation photos including one with the Vice Principal of her high school.

She wrote:

Miss T with the Vice Principal of her high school. They both are so happy to see the other go 😂😂😂! Congratulations Ms T @pizza_teesa

Nigerian music act turned gospel singer Lynxx, has gotten his fans and followers in their feelings on social media after he shared a loved up photo with Genevieve Nnaji.

In the photo shared by the fair skinned singer, he was sighted all cuddled up with the veteran actress Nollywood actress, who also had a cute smile plastered on her face.

Also driving more speculations about a possible relationship between the two is a simple heart emoticon that accompanied the cute photo.

Lynxx also shared a video on his Instastory channel that showed the two off them strolling on the streets of London.

Several years ago, there were rumors that she was involved with singer Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as Dbanj.

Similarly, there were also unconfirmed reports that she was once linked to former Nigerian vice-president Atiku Abubakar.

Nigerian Joel Kachi Benson has won the 2019 `The Lion Award’ for best VR story at the 2019 Venice film Festival , the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

He won the award with his work titled `Daughter of Chibok’

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Last week I shared pictures and a message of how grateful I was to be at the Venice Biennale, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names and the best minds in the world of virtual reality. For me it was great, just to be here, and have my film play alongside theirs. That was enough for me. I never knew there was more to come. As the festival began to wind down, I remember asking the curator if he’d be able to squeeze me in to attend the closing ceremony so I could watch the awards been given out, and he smiled and said he’d see what he could do to get me in. Two days ago he called me and said there’d be no need for that...our film #daughtersofchibok would be receiving an award, so I’d have a seat reserved for me. And so here we are, bringing home The Lion award for Best VR Story. The young boy who roamed the streets of Ijeshatedo during the day and slept in empty churches at night because he had no home to go to, is now on the world stage. Now if that’s not God, I don’t know what is. I thank everyone that has supported me on this crazy incredible adventure...my wife, my friends, my teachers, and my team who’ve had to deal with all my mood swings and mad experiments. God has been too kind to me...I don’t know why...but I’m grateful. I’d have loved to end this with something profound, but I’ll just repeat what the someone in Venice said to me, and hope that it inspires someone - “Joel, you’re this guy that no one had ever heard of, who just came out the blues, and now you’ve put your country on the world’s vr map. You just proved that with faith and courage anyone can soar to the top”. #daughtersofchibok #virtualrealityworld #virtualrealitynigeria #labiennaledivenezia @imisi3d @iamaniwura @northeastihub @vr360stories @cobhamsasuquo @murphy_akande @timski67 @facey813 @iamshabz

A post shared by Joel Benson (@kachibenson) on Sep 7, 2019 at 11:10pm PDT

Former member of the defunct Plantashun Boiz group, Blackface released a new song titled “African Queen”.

The song was released on Blackface’s Reverbnation page.

Listen to it below.

Delectable Plus-Size Actress, Eniola Badmus turns a year older on September 7th 2019… and we’ll be giving you 10 quick facts about the talented actress.

We give you some facts you probably didn’t know about the actress who features in both English and Yoruba movies.

• She was born on September 7, in the late 70s. Her age has been a source of controversy in the past with reports stating that she was born in 1977. But she refuted this claiming even her elder sisters aren’t that old. She has however refused to reveal her real age.

• She holds a degree in Theater Arts from University of Ibadan and a Masters in Economics from Lagos State University (LASU).

• Eniola Badmus despite claiming to be a ‘born again’ loves her alcohol. From cognac to larger, Gbogbo bigz girl is simply a turn up queen.

• She is single and very single and very very single. The current man in her life happens to be her 84-year-old father whom she calls Badosky.

• She is a crazy shopper. Yeah, your favorite plus size actress loves shopping.

• She was once linked to be in a relationship with Davido, a rumour she laughed off saying it is simply ridiculous for anyone to imagine her trying such with the HKN boss who is like a younger brother to her.

• Like most Nigerian actors, Eniola Badmus wouldn’t strip in any movie. Not even for a ‘million dollars’.

• The Actress is proud of her body and has variously stated that there is no attempt to shed some weight on her part. I like myself, I like my body, at times I think I’m the only person created like this because I’m not only big, I’m also sexy,’ she once revealed in an interview.

• Unlike many reports that the actress is currently not on talking terms with Funke Akindele who gave her big break on Jenifer, Eniola has affirmed that there is no iota of truth in it. ‘Let me say here that the rumour that I and Funke Akindele are in a serious cold war is not true. I can never engage in a fight with her because she is a strong pillar behind me in the industry,’ she once disclosed.

• Eniola is one of the most versatile actresses in the industry. From playing the notorious village bully, to the wild pimp or sympathetic big sister, Gbogbo bigs girl always fit in perfectly to every role she plays and isn’t that why we all love her.

Meet Singer Kizz Daniel’s soon-to-be Baby Mama, Emerald Vicky popularly known as poshmerald. She is a cloth Stylist and will be due by October.

Some weeks ago a certain lady went viral for being pregnant for the singer, turns out, another lady is also pregnant for the singer.

Well, Posh Merald too is pregnant for the singer and their baby will be here by October.

The lady however deactivated her account recently because she knows she is carrying a public figure baby and doesn’t want stress in this phase of her life.

Recall some time last month Nigerian Model, Ade Williams was rumored to be pregnant for Kizz Daniel. The model in her IG handle however debunked the rumour.

A middle aged man who wants to prepare his step daughter for prostitution has defiled a 15 year old in Edo State. Investigations revealed that he carried out the act under the watchful agreement of the girls mother.

The 49-year-old man identified as Raphael has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for rape with charges of child prostitution and Human trafficking.

A social media activist, sharing the story on his Facebook page said the victim was physically assaulted and molested by both her mother and stepfather whenever she refused to have sex.

According to investigations, the accused repeatedly and forcefully had carnal knowledge of the 15 year old in order to widen her private and make it easier for her to prostitute abroad.

The investigative team led by Gmamnishu Harrison swung into action as soon as the report got to them and Mr. Raphael was arrested. He is currently been detained and would soon be transferred to SCID Benin for further prosecution.

Meanwhile the victim is currently been treated at an undisclosed medical center.

Nigerian rapper, Lil Kesh has just dropped the visuals to his new single titled, Nkanbe which features DMW act, Mayorkun and the video features actress, Iyabo Ojo’s 18-year-old daughter, Priscilla Ajoke Ojo.

This comes after there were speculations that the rapper and the model were dating each other and a video of one ‘kissing’ the other, emerged online.

The duo have undeniable chemistry in the video released by the singer which been trending on YouTube and accumulating thousands of views.

Lil Kesh - Nkan Be ft. Mayorkun – 03:25
— KeshVEVO

The 18 year old, a while back responded to a follower who wanted to know the state of her ‘virginity’.

Priscilla hosted a Q&A sessions for her followers on Instagram, for them to ask questions they’d like to know about her.

And trust someone who ‘take the bull by the horn’, he questioned her virginity status.

Are you a Virgin, the questions reads, to which she replied, “Mind your business”.

She had aforetime also declared that she is too young to have a boyfriend – the declaration was made in an interview with Punch.ng Sunday Scoop.

Priscilla said she was not interested in talking about the issue again. She stated,

“I don’t want to talk about it (strip club). Right now, I am focused on my education. I am also not in a relationship; I am too young to have a boyfriend.

“Turning 18 makes me feel grown and mature. I’m reminded that I’m no longer a kid and I must learn how to handle certain things like an adult.”

Anthony Joshua has claimed “sometimes the ones who are calm and chilled can bark”, when speaking about Andy Ruiz during a press conference in London on Friday.

The Briton also rated Ruiz as “the best heavyweight out there”.

Both boxers went face to face in London, as their three-day press tour ended, ahead of their December 7 rematch in Saudi Arabia.

Asked about again being a challenger to the world heavyweight championships, Joshua said: “It’s a great mindset to have and you can’t lose that. The minute you lose it, you’ve got to retire. You’ve got to be hungry.

“I had a blip. We go again. I’m not shy. No fear.”

Joshua said about his upcoming opponent who took his IBF, WBA and WBO belts earlier this year: “Ruiz Jr is calm but he can fight. He is not a fake character who puts on a persona.

“Sometimes the ones who are calm and chilled can bark back, and can definitely fight.”