Mohamed Salah’s dramatic stoppage-time penalty ensured Liverpool maintained their winning start to the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at promoted side Burnley on Sunday.

With British record signing Alexander Isak forced to wait for his Liverpool debut having been left out the squad for the trip to Lancashire, the champions struggled to break down a dogged home side in the first half.

After a regroup at the break, the visitors upped the ante in the second half, with Dominik Szoboszlai finally forcing a fine save from Martin Dubravka in the Burnley goal.

Burnley were holding on for a well-earned point with ease, before the ball agonisingly struck substitute Hannibal Mejbri’s arm in the penalty area and Salah slotted the spot kick into the net in the 95th minute to break home hearts.

Liverpool are still to really get going this season, requiring a winner in the last 10 minutes of all four of their league victories so far. The goal that clinched an undeserved success at Turf Moor was certainly the most fortunate.

After one of the longest transfer sagas in Premier League history finally reached its expected conclusion, Liverpool supporters were forced to wait two weeks for their first glimpse of their 125-million-pound ($169.45-million) goal machine due to the international break.

While coach Arne Slot said this week that Isak would have to be utilised carefully due to his previous injuries and lack of action so far this season, the Swede was still expected to at least be on the bench at Turf Moor.

The wait goes on as, without their expensive new forward, Liverpool mustered just one shot on target in the first half, from left-back Andrew Robertson.

Burnley, who conceded the fewest goals in English football league history last term to earn them promotion, otherwise frustrated the champions with ease. Even Lesley Ugochukwu’s red card for two bookings in the 84th minute did not seem to fluster them.

Even without Isak, Liverpool still had much attacking talent on the Turf Moor pitch but they just could not find that killer pass.

Salah was especially below par but he made no mistake in the most pressurised moment after Hannibal had stuck up an arm to block Jeremie Frimpong’s cross

The champions’ impressive Premier League goalscoring streak stretches to 38 games nonetheless, their longest such run in the competition.

-Reuters

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Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.

In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:

In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman,  I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.

He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.

I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.

He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.

“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at  noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.

Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.

Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.

Same with  tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89  in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.

 Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.

In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.

I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.

Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.

Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!

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The 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics (LIBC) reached a dramatic climax on Friday with quarter-final and semi-final showdowns that delivered world-class action, epic battles, and unforgettable moments inside the Teslim Balogun Indoor Sports Hall, Surulere.

With 20 matches on the schedule and one walkover, Day Three of the tournament set the stage for a blockbuster finale on Saturday, August 30, when champions across all categories will be crowned.

Walkover and Marathon Thriller
The day began with a rare walkover in the men’s doubles as P. Ravikrishna and S. Romdtiani (UAE) advanced without hitting a shuttle, following the no-show of Kazakhstan’s D. Panarin and M. Tajibullayev.

But it was the mixed doubles quarter-final that stole the show. India’s Rawat and Maneesha battled compatriots Sharma and Kanapuran in a pulsating contest that lasted 2 hours, 2 minutes — one of the longest matches in the tournament’s history. The tie ended 21-19, 9-21, 22-20 in favour of Rawat/Maneesha, who left the Lagos crowd on their feet in admiration.

Nigerian Hope and Heartbreak
On the home front, Nigeria’s Obanisola and Alabi lit up the arena with a hard-fought 21-19, 19-21, 21-19 victory over second seeds and compatriots Ibere and Ukeh in the quarter-finals. However, their fairytale run ended in the semi-finals against UAE’s formidable pair Qathua and Sreejithparol. The Nigerian duo will now battle for bronze in what promises to be another emotional showdown.

All-India Women’s Singles Final
India underlined its dominance in the women’s singles. Second seed Kashyap powered past Indonesia’s Ramadhani Wiryawan 21-19, 21-17, while S. Lele needed just 35 minutes to dispatch compatriot Sihag 21-12, 21-12. The result sets up an all-Indian final on Saturday.

Asian Showpiece in Men’s Singles
The men’s singles final will feature Japan’s M. Koga against Indonesia’s P. Shujiwo after both triumphed in gruelling semi-finals. Koga rallied past Israel’s Dubovenko 17-21, 21-7, 21-8, while Shujiwo defeated India’s M. Singh 21-11, 20-22, 21-12. Their clash is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament.

Doubles Intensity
In women’s doubles, Uganda’s Mbabazi and Kobugabe fell short against the in-form UAE duo of Sreejithparol and Qathua, who remain strong contenders for the crown.

Nigeria’s Growing Reputation
Visiting athletes and officials continued to heap praise on the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for seamless organisation, with support from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA). The vibrant Lagos crowd and warm hospitality have reinforced Nigeria’s status as a rising hub for elite badminton.

“Day Three has given us classic matches that will be remembered for years,” said Tunde Kazeem, BFN board member and technical director. “From marathon rallies to underdog victories, the Lagos International Badminton Classics has shown the very best of our sport. Tomorrow’s finals will crown champions, but already, this tournament is a triumph for badminton in Nigeria and Africa.”

Day Three Highlights:

• Mixed Doubles epic: Rawat/Maneesha beat Sharma/Kanapuran in a 2h 02m thriller.
• Nigeria’s Obanisola/Alabi upset Ibere/Ukeh but lost in semis; bronze battle awaits.
• Women’s Singles Final: All-India affair — Kashyap vs S. Lele.
• Men’s Singles Final: Japan’s Koga vs Indonesia’s Shujiwo.
• Prize Pool: $17,500 purse adds extra edge to the finals.

With the finals set across singles and doubles, anticipation is at fever pitch as Lagos braces for a grand finale to the 2025 Lagos International Badminton Classics.

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