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Heartbreak for Salah, Mane, as Real Madrid pip Liverpool to clinch 14th Champions League title

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It was heartache and anguish for the African soccer stars in Liverpool in their quest to pick up a second Champions League trophy in three years when Spanish giants, Real Madrid, pipped them 1-0 to clinch her 14th title in the final played at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night.

The pulsating encounter which was delayed for about 40 minutes due to security concerns, was settled in the 54th minute when Brazilian winger, Vinicius Junior, netted the only goal of the match.

Jurgen Klopp had started the duo of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane who had several attempts on target but were frustrated by a brilliant goalkeeping display by former Chelsea man, Thibaut Courtois, who was in an inspiring form.

A little over a month ago, Liverpool were in the race for a rare quadruple which would have made them the first team in England to ever do so, but only ended up with the Carabao Cup and FA Cup having failed to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title penultimate week, with their incredible journey ending in tears on Saturday night in Paris.

How Liverpool lost the match is anyone’s guess and how they didn’t score should be the subject of future debates.

Salah and Mane did everything to get on the scoresheet with the Egyptian alone having six shots more than anyone has ever managed in a Champions League final, but he, and Liverpool, could find no way past the giant Belgian Courtois.

On three occasions in the second half, Salah thought he had found the back of the net but each time, Courtois came out with different spellbinding, crucial saves.

Mali captain Naby Keita who came off the bench in the second half had the chance to level the scores when he came face to face with Courtois in a one on one situation but yet again, the Belgian shot stopper proved to be up to the task.

At the end of the match, it was Vinicius Junior’s early second-half strike that settled the Champions League final, and ensured that for the 14th time, Real Madrid will get their hands on club football’s most famous trophy, handing ‘Don’ Carlo Ancelotti a second Champions League trophy as manager of the club.

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Tragedy as coach killed, players injured in Sierra Leone club bus crash

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One of the coaches of Sierra Leonean club, Port Authority FC, Lamine Bangoura, a former international, has been confirmed killed while several players sustained different degrees of injuries after the team bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday night when going for a football game.

According to a statement from the club management, the players and officials of the top flight clubside are still reeling from the effect of the accident.

A local media which reported on the devastating accident on Wednesday said:

“The Sierra Leonean football is in mourning. On Tuesday evening, the Port Authority FC bus was involved in an accident. Several first team players are injured and in critical condition after this tragedy.

“The worst was the death of the Port Authority FC coach, Lamine Bangoura, who did not survive after receiving a serious blow during the accident.

“The team was en route to Kenema for a crucial match against Kahunla Rangers when tragedy struck, leaving several members in critical condition.

“The accident, which occurred at Konta Line, has claimed the life of the former Sierra Leone international and team coach, Lamine Bangura.

“Lamine Bangura was a highly revered figure in Sierra Leonean football and leaves behind a legacy that transcends the sport.

“Despite the best efforts of medical personnel at Masiaka Hospital, Bangura succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a void in Sierra Leonean football.”

The Sierra Leone Premier League Board, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed deep regret and sent condolences to the team.

“While details of the incident are still emerging, it has been confirmed that there were injuries sustained by individuals involved in the accident.

“Our immediate priority is the well-being and recovery of those affected by this unfortunate event,” the statement said.

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‘I stood up for my teammates’, Super Eagles’ Bright Osayi defends beating up pitch invader

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Super Eagles and Fernabache of Turkey defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has opened up on why he had to beat up a pitch invader in the wake of a brawl with some fans of Tranzonspor during a match in a Turkish Superlig.

The right-back had come under the spotlight when he was seen beating up a fan of Tranzonspor who had attempted to attack Fernabache players during the match last Sunday.

While many fans of the club had applauded Osayi-Samuel’s action, even going ahead to make a graffiti of the scene, others have condemned him and even went as far as demanding sanctions for him.

But while speaking to sports journalists on Monday in Morocco where the Eagles are currently preparing for a friendly match against Mali, the 25-year-old defender said he had to stand up for his teammates in self defence.

“The fans attacked the team, some had weapons on them, I had to defend my team, it was self defence, that’s what happened,” he said.

“My teammates suffered cuts and bruises, some were really scared, several others also joined me to try to defend the team.

“We found a way to win and avenge our only loss in the league to the same team after they beat us at our home in the first round,” he added.

Fans of Trabzonspor had invaded the pitch after title-chasing Fenerbache recorded a 3-2 win at away to keep up the pressure on league leaders Galatasaray, a defeat which angered the home fans and led to them invading the pitch.

But they met their match in the Super Eagles player who chased some and pounced on them heavily.

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