Entertainment Gists
Germany Beat Nigeria To Reach Last Eight As VAR Features Again
VAR once again had a major influence at the Women’s World Cup as Germany beat Nigeria 3-0 to reach the last eight.
Alexandra Popp’s 20th-minute headed goal was allowed to stand by referee Yoshimi Yamashita after she deemed Svenja Huth was not interfering in play while in an offside position.
Then, following another VAR check, she awarded a penalty having ruled that Evelyn Nwabuoku had fouled Lina Magull.
Sara Dabritz converted from the spot and Lea Schuller fired in a late third.
Either Sweden or Canada stand between the two-time winners and a place in the semi-finals.
Referee under the spotlight
The use of VAR and referees’ judgements have come under scrutiny at this tournament.
Criticism has been directed at the new directive saying punishments should be issued for goalkeepers who come off their line for penalties, which had an impact on both Scotland and Nigeria’s results in France.
However, during Saturday’s first quarter-final in Grenoble, it was the Japanese official’s interpretations that raised debate.
Popp’s opener from Magull’s corner appeared good until VAR alerted Yamashita to a possible issue over Huth’s offside position in front of keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. After a check, the referee allowed the goal to stand.
Moments after the restart, Magull hit the deck when Nwabuoku unintentionally caught her in an attempt to clear the ball. Yamashita signalled a throw-in but once more received a message from the VAR team.
It was three minutes before Yamashita changed her decision to a spot-kick, which Dabritz put away to give the Germans a 2-0 lead.
The second half was less eventful. Had Desire Oparanozie timed her stretch to turn in substitute Rasheedat Ajibade’s low cross then it would have set up a far more tense finish.
Instead, SGS Essen forward Schuller put the game beyond the reach of the Super Falcons with an angled strike that nestled in Nnadozie’s right-hand corner.
‘I am questioning the ability of the officials’
Former England defender Casey Stoney speaking on BBC Two about the opening goal: “I genuinely cannot understand what is going on in this tournament. When Popp makes contact, Huth is in line with the keeper’s vision – that has to be offside. How can we not deem that offside?
On the penalty from which Germany scored:”The referee had to see this. If you are in a good position, you see that it is a penalty. You should not need to go to VAR for that to be given and waste even more time. So I am questioning the ability of the officials at this tournament.”
Former England defender Laura Bassett on BBC Two: “The referees are using VAR as a comfort blanket – ‘Please back me up, I don’t want to get this wrong’. But that’s not good enough. That’s not what it is there for.”
Popp makes it to 100 – stats
- Germany have now reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup every time since the competition began in 1991.
- This was the first ever knockout stage meeting between an African side and a European side; indeed, Germany have now won each of their five matches in the competition against African opposition with an aggregate score of 22-0.
- Only Australia vs Italy (39) has seen more fouls conceded in a 2019 Women’s World Cup match than Germany’s victory over Nigeria (31).
- Nigeria defender Onome Ebi played in her 14th Women’s World Cup match, the most appearances in the competition by a Super Falcons player.
- In what was her 14th World Cup match for Germany, striker Popp made her 100th appearance for her country.
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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