A popular Nigerian pastor, Dolapo Lawal, has apologised to Arsenal fans after making what many commentators called a “failed prophecy” about the club.
This comes after the London-based football club won the English Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
So, why is the Nigerian pastor in the eye of the storm over football?
Well, back in April 2026, a video of Pastor Dolapo Lawal of Zoe Household Global Church preaching generated a huge controversy.
It was not the religious preaching itself. In the middle of his sermon, he switched gears and started doing football analysis. And not the ‘’pray for the team’’ kind.
He emphatically said Arsenal would not win the Premier League this season.
‘Arsenal fans are losers’
That’s not all. He also advised women not to date Arsenal fans because they were losers.
The backlash from Arsenal fans in Nigeria was intense on social media. That’s not a surprise.
Arsenal fans in Nigeria are passionate and loyal to the club. They criticised him from every angle, saying he had “cursed” the club.
Pastor Dolapo had to come back with another video to defend himself and apologise. And that’s when the plot twist dropped.
He revealed that he is a Manchester United fan and that the whole thing was just “normal football banter”, not a “prophecy” as widely reported.
Arsenal won the English Premier League title, contrary to Pastor Dolapo’s prediction.
‘Proved me wrong’
Then he said, “Okay, you guys proved me wrong,” and congratulated Arsenal fans.
But this did little to douse the criticism, with some mocking him as only ‘’backtracking’’.
Arsenal are one of the most popular European football clubs in Africa, with millions of fans across the continent watching their televised games.
After finishing second for the past three seasons, the Gunners won their first English title since Arsène Wenger’s “Invincibles” in 2004.
The Mikel Arteta side dominated the campaign this season and were confirmed champions after second-placed Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Tuesday.
The drama in Nigeria has reignited debate about “prophecies” by some pastors and how football has become part of daily life in the West African country and beyond.
