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Premier League Preview: Will Liverpool repeat or is this finally Arsenal’s year?

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Premier League Preview: Will Liverpool repeat or is this finally Arsenal’s year?

The 2025-26 Premier League season is upon us and there is so much intrigue as teams look to close the gap with reigning champion Liverpool and finish in the Champions League spots.

With a record number of teams in European competitions, the strength of the Premier League is perhaps at its peak, and the promoted teams all look strong and prepared for the nine-month August-to-May gantlet.

Let’s take a look at the key storylines heading into the new season.

Can new-look Liverpool get the balance right?

After spending big on four key signings this summer (and possibly adding striker Alexander Isak in the coming weeks for a British record transfer fee of over $150 million), Liverpool has not stood still.

But their expensive rebuild has shown signs of early growing pains.

German playmaker Florian Wirtz is a generational talent and looks like a bargain, even for $133 million.

Forward Hugo Ekitike is still raw but will score plenty. New fullbacks Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are exciting and energetic. Yet the balance has been off in the preseason, and manager Arne Slot knows it.

Liverpool will score in bunches, but it’s all about getting the balance right, especially in defense and out wide. With Trent Alexander-Arnold sold to Real Madrid and Andy Robertson now a backup, Liverpool’s strength for so long has been out wide defensively.

Gyokeres could be the final piece in Arsenal’s trophy-hungry jigsaw

For so long Arsenal have wanted, and needed, a proper center forward to finish goal-scoring chances. Now they have it in Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swedish striker buried a header in their final preseason game and you could see the cogs swirling around inside the heads of Arsenal fans. “Hang on, is this it?!”

The comparisons to when Erling Haaland arrived at Manchester City are plentiful, and although Gyokeres still has a long way to go to reach those levels, on a simplistic level this should work.

Arsenal create so many chances and whip in so many crosses, but they drew 14 games in the Premier League last season.

Change of culture and new forward line has Manchester United looking up

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hit the reset button hard after a tough first eight months in charge. Last season was a disaster in the Premier League, but United showed they could still rise to the occasion as they made it to the Europa League final where they lost to Tottenham.

That probably did them a favor as they have no European action to worry about this season and Amorim can work longer and harder on the training ground with his squad.

In preseason all the talk has been about a change in culture at United. They have moved on Marcus Rashford, while Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are next, and a line has been drawn in the sand. This underachievement can’t go on.

United have added real quality and experience in attack with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko coming in.

After Club World Cup glory, Chelsea can challenge for the title

Chelsea has some serious momentum heading into the new season as Enzo Maresca’s young side won the Club World Cup, unexpectedly, this summer and that has seen them grow massively in confidence.

Cole Palmer is their star but new recruits Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens will give them an extra cutting edge and decisiveness in the final third.

That’s the thing Chelsea missed last season as Maresca’s side dominated games but couldn’t put teams away.

They have the Champions League to look forward to, too, and there is no slowing down in signing new players as Xavi Simons, Alejandro Garnacho and others are linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.

Other storylines to keep an eye on …

Record nine Premier League teams will play in Europe

Get used to plenty of Premier League teams rotating their lineups as a record nine teams will compete in European competitions this season. Six teams are in the Champions League with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle joined by Tottenham Hotspur courtesy of the latter winning the Europa League last season.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will be in the Europa League and Crystal Palace are in the Conference League.

Manchester City continues to wait for a verdict

After winning four-straight titles, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City rallied to finish third last season as new signings in January kicked them on.

City has added the likes of Ait-Nouri, Cherki and Reijnders in the summer, and even if they aren’t favorites for the title, they will be up there.

But there is still plenty of doubt about its future as the verdict regarding the 115 charges from the Premier League against City (the charges are for a period from 2009 until 2018) still loom.

Gunna Releases New Album The Last Wun

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Gunna Releases New Album The Last Wun

Coming full circle in the midst of a monumental creative chapter, four-time GRAMMY Award-nominated, multi-platinum Atlanta rap superstar Gunna proudly presents his anxiously awaited sixth full-length studio album, The Last Wun, out now via Young Stoner Life Records/ 300 Entertainment.

The Last Wun comprises 25 tracks, cementing it as his biggest, brightest, and boldest body of work to date.

He once again tapped the talents of frequent collaborator, trusted confidant, and GRAMMY® Award-nominated megastar producer Turbo who executive produced the album’s sonic framework.

Gunna also welcomed an elite cohort of fans, tracing a direct line from Atlanta with Offset on “at my purest” and Nechie on “i can’t feel my face” to Nigeria with Burna Boy on “wgft,” Wizkid on “forever be mine,” and Asake on “satisfaction.”

From top to bottom, The Last Wun showcases his impressive evolution as both an elite rapper and generational artist with a story to tell and a message to share. He’s ready to motivate like never before.

On this Wednesday August 6, Gunna hosted an Art Installation event at Ross + Kramer Gallery in New York City. Where he will uncover the The Last Wun album artwork for the first time in public.

Speaking to his cultural dominance, UPROXX championed Gunna as the cover star of its “Visionaries” issue.

Plus, he sat down with multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning legend Will.I.Am for a sit down interview and made history as “the first artist to grace the UPROXX Studios XR stage” for a live performance of “Won’t Stop” which initially set the stage for The Last Wun. 

Gunna has continued his steady rise in 2025, showing up with a string of standout features that prove he’s not slowing down anytime soon.

From Justin Bieber’s “Way It Is,” Turbo’s “Classy Girl,” he’s remained a constant presence in the conversation. He closed out 2024 strong with “GOT DAMN,” which followed the success of “HIM ALL ALONG,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Swayvee Brings the ‘US’ Movement to South Africa Following Young Stunna Remix Breakout

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Swayvee Brings the ‘US’ Movement to South Africa Following Young Stunna Remix Breakout

Nigerian genre-defying artist Swayvee is set to make his highly anticipated debut in South Africa from 16 to 22 August, riding the unstoppable momentum of his hit single US.

 

The track, which has taken the world by storm, continues to dominate streaming platforms in both its original and remix versions, establishing Swayvee as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary African music.

Released  20 March, the original version of US has amassed an impressive 9.9 million streams across major platforms, including 3.7 million on Spotify, 933,000 on Apple Music, 3.17 million on Audiomack, 1.4 million on Boomplay, and 685,000 on YouTube.

Just one month later, the 20 April remix ignited even greater momentum, drawing in an additional 4.6 million streams 1.18 million on Spotify, 409,000 on Apple Music, 226,000 on Audiomack, 299,000 on Boomplay, and more than 2.5 million combined views on YouTube audio and visualiser uploads.

Together, both versions have now surpassed an astounding 14.5 million streams worldwide.

This meteoric rise has been fuelled by the track’s emotional resonance and viral presence on TikTok, where thousands of organic creations from electrifying dance routines to deeply personal confessionals have transformed US into a people’s anthem.

Built on minimalist yet affecting production, the song speaks to themes of loyalty, healing, and the emotional cost of love and friendship, offering a rallying cry for togetherness in a divided world.

Born Ezekiel Swayzee Georgewill, Swayvee’s journey from Port Harcourt’s rap cyphers to the global stage has been defined by constant reinvention and an unwavering commitment to emotional authenticity.

His sound—an innovative fusion of melodic rap, afrofusion, and spiritual abstraction draws influence from the likes of Tory Lanez, Burna Boy, and Mr. Eazi, yet remains entirely his own.

During his South African visit, Swayvee will collaborate with several of the country’s leading artists, expanding his creative reach and further bridging the gap between West and Southern African music scenes.

His trip will also include an intensive promotional run, engaging with media, fans, and tastemakers, as well as creating exclusive content to mark his first-ever experience in the country.

With his debut EP Perswaysion on the horizon, Swayvee’s arrival in South Africa marks the next chapter in what is already shaping up to be a landmark year.

As US continues to surge across global platforms, his upcoming collaborations and on-the-ground presence promise to leave a lasting mark on the continent’s music landscape.

Zimbabwean Storytelling Takes the Spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe with Strangers & Revelations

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Zimbabwean Storytelling Takes the Spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe with Strangers & Revelations

Two London-based Zimbabweans meet for their first date in an unconventional location, with the unexpected intimacy and shared cultural heritage leading them to reveal more about themselves than they were intending in an emotionally charged drama.

 

Strangers & Revelations follows Zodwa into Malcolm’s house after a last-minute change of plan for their first meeting.

As they connect through shared experiences of their roots and romantic mishaps, they reveal more about themselves and start to uncover deeper truths and shared grief.

Grounded in mythology and trauma, this production is an exploration of identity and the power dynamics between men and women through an African lens.

Strangers & Revelations premiered at the 2024 Kenya International Theatre Festival (KITFest) and is writer and performer Chiedza Rwodzi’s debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe show.

Unshaded Arts will also be bringing Hassan Govia’s exploration of undiagnosed mental illness, Because, to the Fringe (Studio at theSpaceTriplex, 15.05 – 15.55).

Writer and performer Chiedza Rwodzi said, “Navigating London life as a Zimbabwean woman for over a decade has given me a unique perspective with regards to the dualism of two distinctive cultures.

I decided to delve into this with Strangers & Revelations, and present a simultaneously authentic yet universal story about what happens when truths are unveiled and you have to reckon with who you really are.”

Unshaded Arts was co-founded by Chiedza Rwodzi and Hassan Govia. Chiedza Rwodzi is a Zimbabwean actress, creative entrepreneur, and storyteller and Strangers & Revelations is her first full-length production.

Chiedza’s other works include her short play How Are You, Really? which was staged at the Kampala International Theatre Festival (2023), and her short film Courage In Silence: A Woman’s Fight (2024) which won Best International Short at the Zambia Short Film Festival.

Music Sensation, Pa.II takes Canada by storm with a genre-bending project and new single

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Music Sensation, Pa.II takes Canada by storm with a genre-bending project and new single

Pa.II is making waves in the Canadian music scene with his authentic blend of Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall and pop elements.

 

With a rich cultural heritage and musical influences that span continents, Pa.II’s sound is a refreshing addition to the Canadian music landscape and aims to prove that with his project, “ILLAH: Eviction Notice” scheduled to be released later this year.

The second single, Long Time was written and recorded following the emotional journey Pa.II made home to see his family and friends after more than a decade away from his birthplace in Nigeria.

That trip and the events that followed including leaving his long-term studio after a decade and betrayals from the most unexpected places birthed this project – a delectable combination of melodies and emotional lyrics painting a picture of a man caught between worlds.

Long Time reflects on childhood friendships, lost love, family ties and the memories that forged these bonds.

“When Long Time came to me, I just saw flashes of different scenes from my time in Nigeria as a child- eating mangoes with my late uncle while sitting in the tree, running out of the house at 4pm to catch the boys on the soccer field to the dismay of my parents. Those were great times…” Pa.II recounts.

Long Time sets the theme of the project that will tackle themes of loss and lack while forging ahead.

It tells a tale of a man who through immigration has lost friends and touch with his old self yet has found a new outlook for the future.

The low-mid tempo song has a reggae styled baseline blending with the pidgin English lyrics synonymous with the Afrobeats genre.

The simple yet catchy hook that leads the way for a complex emotional tone/ melancholic verse that contracts the optimism of the chorus.

This contrast creates a rich and nuanced emotional landscape, where the song’s themes and melodies balance between reflective, contemplative moments and uplifting, celebratory moments.

This blend of emotions make for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant song that is sure to bring a few people to mind for any listener.

“Long Time reflects on some of my best childhood memories. Leaving Nigeria to Canada as a child and coming back as a man meant that a lot changed from the landscape to the people.

“Some faces are now only memories, some are just altogether different people with different perspectives. This song serves as a poignant reminder to cherish relationships while we can, acknowledging life’s fleeting nature and the uncertainty of tomorrow”, Pa.II adds.

Zimbabwe Cricket Accuses David Coltart of ‘Smear Campaign’ and Racial Bias

Michael Shoko
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Zimbabwe Cricket Accuses David Coltart of ‘Smear Campaign’ and Racial Bias

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has issued a strongly worded statement accusing Bulawayo mayor and former sports minister David Coltart of leading what it describes as a “relentless smear campaign” against the organisation and its black administrators.

 

In remarks released on Tuesday, ZC alleged that Coltart’s repeated criticism of the board and its selection policies is “fuelled by personal bitterness and racial prejudice” and lacks “any credible evidence.”

The governing body claims the former minister’s “frequent social media tirades” promote a divisive narrative that undermines the progress it says it has made in transforming the sport since independence.

“Far from offering constructive criticism, his attacks are aimed solely at undermining the integrity of selectors and administrators who operate under strict, merit-based and transparent processes,” ZC said.

“There is absolutely no place for racial prejudice in our game.”

ZC’s statement also placed the dispute in the context of cricket’s complex history in Zimbabwe, noting that the sport was introduced in 1890 during the colonial era and remained the preserve of the white minority until 1995, when the first black player represented the national team.

Since then, the board says it has worked to make teams at national, provincial and club level more reflective of the country’s demographics.

The organisation further accused Coltart of politicising cricket during his time as sports minister, and of playing a role in the black armband protest by players Andy Flower and Henry Olonga during the 2003 World Cup.

ZC said this contributed to England’s boycott of a scheduled fixture in Harare and the 23-year freeze in bilateral cricket relations between the two nations, a standoff that only ended in May this year.

Coltart, a former officer in the Rhodesian police, has previously acknowledged and expressed regret for serving under an unjust system during the country’s pre-independence era.

However, ZC claims his current commentary on team selection shows “a lack of true repentance” and reflects “selective outrage” that focuses only on the omission of white players.

The board called on the cricket community “to see through Coltart’s charade” and support its efforts to build a future for the sport “founded on unity, fairness and sporting excellence.”

Sumisola, Ebuka Songs, Lead Unforgettable Relentless Worship Night

Trevor Makonyonga
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Sumisola, Ebuka Songs, Lead Unforgettable Relentless Worship Night

Saturday, August 9, was a great day for United Family International Church (UFIC) members at Relentless Worship Experience (RWE) 2025 as they enjoyed gospel music from Nigerian artists Sumisola Agbebi and Ebuka Songs.

 

The day-event commenced at 12 midday with the UFIC choir warming the stage.

It can be said that before Sumisola and Ebuka hit the stage, all performers were from UFIC.

Such acts as Tapiwa Masara and Larry Gunda had good stage performances that wowed the 15000 in attendence.

Pastor Larry Gunda’s Kana Mwari Vakurangarira sent the crowd into a frenzy and pretty much helped to set the mood before the main acts came.

Sumisola’s set was, however, unique. She brought with her a fire of worship and a complex vocal perfomance such as never been heard.

She sang renditions of How great is our God, Your Presence, Holy Forever, Yeshua and her song Bola among a plethora other new songs. She was being backed by a section of the UFIC worship leaders who helped her to sing a part of Bola in Shona.

Then Ebuka Songs took to the stage. He first preached for about 30 minutes and led worship. Then he switched up the energy as he joined many songs. For someone who had landed in Harare for the show in the afternoon, his energy was amazing.

Ebuka sang renditions of hits such as Obinigwe, You are more than a song, Yahweh Sabaoth, No turning back and Favour. When he sang his song, I am a Soldier, the myriads of people in attendance burst into a choir. His set was very decent.

Pastor Michael Mahendere closed the show with a splendid showcase. As a local hero, his performance capped the night experience.

The show ended at about 2045.

Award winning musician, Tammy Moyo, was part of the MCs of the event together with Evangelist Ado Nyakudya and Siphosami. They stirred the ship quite well.

Onida and Chiota Crowned National Pool Champions as Sport’s Popularity Surges in Zimbabwe

Michael Shoko
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Onida and Chiota Crowned National Pool Champions as Sport’s Popularity Surges in Zimbabwe

Timothy Onida and Alice Chiota, both from Harare, emerged as the 2025 Carling Black Label Pool national champions after convincing victories in the men’s and women’s finals held on Saturday at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds in Bulawayo.

 

Onida and Chiota each triumphed by the same dominant scoreline in their respective categories, 5–1,  to secure the national titles, walking away with US$2,500 in prize money and top-of-the-range pool tables.

Runners-up in both categories received US$1,500, while third- and fourth-placed players collected US$1,000 and US$500, respectively.

For 40-year-old Chiota, the win was a long-awaited breakthrough after finishing as runner-up in the women’s category in 2023.

Alice Chiota

Onida, meanwhile, struck a confident tone after his victory.

“To be honest, I wanted to win and I had already told myself before leaving home that I was going to win,” he said.

The finals drew 148 competitors, 74 men and 74 women and ran from mid-morning into the evening, underscoring the sport’s growing appeal across the country.

Once largely associated with bar culture, pool has evolved into a respected competitive sport in Zimbabwe, now enjoyed at community centres, clubs and recreational facilities nationwide.

Much of this growth has been fuelled by sustained corporate backing from Delta Beverages through its Carling Black Label brand, whose sponsorship has elevated the game’s profile, improved prize offerings, and broadened participation.

The national championships now stand as one of Zimbabwe’s most competitive and well-attended sporting events, drawing players and fans from all corners of the country.

Timothy Onida speaking to the media after his victory

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Timothy Onida of Epworth is the Carling Black Label National Pool Champion

♬ original sound – Zimbuzz

Dynamos Survive Another Penalty Shootout to Reach Chibuku Super Cup Quarter-Finals

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Dynamos Survive Another Penalty Shootout to Reach Chibuku Super Cup Quarter-Finals

Dynamos’ Chibuku Super Cup title defence remains alive after the Harare giants edged Simba Bhora 4-3 on penalties in Shamva on Saturday, booking their place in the quarter-finals.

 

It was a familiar route to progression for Dynamos, who also needed a shootout to overcome Yadah FC in the preliminary round earlier in the week.

This time, they played to a 1-1 draw in regulation before holding their nerve from the spot.

MWOS, Manica Diamonds and Bikita Minerals also secured their places in the last eight.

MWOS delivered one of the weekend’s standout performances, beating CAPS United 2-0 at Ngoni Stadium thanks to goals from Nigel Mutinha and Arthur Banda.

At Mandava Stadium, FC Platinum and Manica Diamonds played out a goalless 90 minutes, with Manica prevailing 5-3 in the ensuing penalty shootout.

The competition’s knockout format has already produced high drama, with three of the latest four fixtures decided by spot kicks — a trend that could continue as the quarter-finals take shape.

Full-time Results:

MWOS 2-0 CAPS United
Simba Bhora 1-1 Dynamos (3-4 on Penalties)
TelOne 1-1 Bikita Minerals (4-5 on Penalties)
FC Platinum 0-0 Manica Diamonds (3-5 on Penalties)

Shoko Festival Unveils Star-Studded Mash Up Nights Line-up for 2025 Edition

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Shoko Festival Unveils Star-Studded Mash Up Nights Line-up for 2025 Edition

Zimbabwe’s longest-running festival of urban culture, Shoko Festival, is thrilled to announce its much-anticipated Mash Up Nights for its landmark 15th Edition, set to take place at Harare Gardens on Friday, September 26th, 2025.

 

This year’s Mash Up Nights promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Zimbabwe’s vibrant urban culture and hip-hop legacy, with legendary producer Take Fizzo headlining the event.

Renowned for his ground breaking influence in shaping Zimbabwe’s modern music industry, Take Fizzo is set to take festival-goers down memory lane with an electrifying showcase of his greatest hits and iconic productions.

From his early work redefining urban soundscapes to his extensive catalogue of genre-defining tracks, Take Fizzo embodies the transformation of Zimbabwe’s music scene into a contemporary powerhouse.

Festival goers are in for a nostalgic trip down memory lane curated by Take Fizzo, who will be joined by the urban grooves legends Mafriq and Trinity.

Mafriq and Trinity are pioneering urban grooves, major players who created some of the country’s most iconic musical moments and established the foundational sound that defines Zimbabwean urban music today.

As the festival celebrates its 15th anniversary, Shoko Festival Coordinator, Vera Chisvo says, “Take Fizzo represents an era that laid the foundations for Zimbabwe’s modern music industry.

His performance is the perfect way to mark 15 years of Shoko’s dedication to promoting urban culture and hip-hop. This is a true celebration of the journey we have all taken together.”

Mashoko Tapes returns for its highly anticipated second edition, serving as the creative heartbeat of Shoko Festival 2025. This groundbreaking music residency program brings together the festival’s Mash Up Nights performers in a collaborative environment to produce an original album, fostering artistic growth and cross-genre experimentation.

Following the triumphant inaugural edition that featured Ray Kaz, Bhekiwe, Shebeen Boys (Dingo and Dough Major), Lala Martins and rising Afro Fusion songbird, Rutendo Jackie.

This year’s residency promises to deliver another collection of innovative tracks that capture the essence of Zimbabwe’s rapidly evolving urban music landscape.

The 2025 Mashoko Tapes lineup showcases an exceptional blend of established and emerging talent, featuring Segulm, the Guru Afro visionary whose “First of Season” album represents bold artistic innovation;

Rising hip-hop powerhouse Briza from Bulawayo, celebrated for his commanding stage presence and authentic storytelling; 2024 Zim Hip-Hop Awards nominee and Music Connects alumnus, multi-disciplinary artist Paintafresco;

And Harare rapper Yadis, who is emerging as one of the most promising female hip-hop voices after releasing her acclaimed debut mixtape “Ndakusasa Mixtape” and Enhle, who is a neo-soul RnB songstress.

This diverse collective will spend time in residence together, creating collaborative magic that bridges different sounds, styles, and stories, reinforcing Mashoko Tapes’ role as a catalyst for artistic growth and a testament to the power of collaboration in accelerating Zimbabwe’s dynamic music scene.

This year’s Mash Up Nights will highlight Shoko’s continued commitment to creative collaboration and cultural unity, drawing inspiration from the theme #TheLegacyXV as the festival celebrates 15 years of cutting-edge urban art, music, and youth culture.

Tickets are now available for purchase online at www.flippintickets.co.zw and at the Moto Republik box office situated at 3 Allan Wilson Avenue, Harare.

Early bird pricing for Mash Up Nights early bird tickets are priced at $10 (versus $15 at the gate), while Comedy Night is set at $15 (compared to $20 at the door).

Festival goers looking for maximum value can secure a combo ticket covering both events for just $20 in advance.

Shoko Festival remains Zimbabwe’s longest-running festival of urban culture, celebrating free expression, cutting-edge art, and alternative youth culture. It is a project of Magamba Network, Africa’s trailblazing creative and digital media organisation.

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