Osimhen And Mao

The Untameable Victor Osimhen

Solace Chukwu | Africa Is A Country | 14th January 2026

In praise of an impetuous yet brilliant Nigerian footballer. Victor Osimhen is arguably the best striker currently playing, who publicly aired his frustration when Nigeria did not qualify for this year's World Cup. Born "into the miasma of a giant, odious landfill in Olusosun" as the youngest of seven, he worked as a water-seller in the Lagos traffic after his mother died. His "unruliness" is crucial to how he plays (1,200 words)

Nomido is the Browser's daily word game. Play today's before it's gone!

'I Swear To Chairman Mao!'

Jung Chang | LitHub | 13th January 2026

Wild Swans memoirist recalls her teenage years in Chengdu during the Cultural Revolution. Too soft-hearted to join her school's Red Guards, she was accused of "warm-feelingsism". She watched fellow pupils smash the ancient Confucian temple and beat its gardener to death. Teachers were physically punished at "denunciation rallies". Still, at 14, she never thought of rejecting Mao outright (1,800 words)