HEIDENHEIM, Germany: An understrength Bayern Munich coasted to a 4-0 away win over lowly Heidenheim on Sunday, restoring their nine-point lead atop the table in Harry Kane’s first match as captain.
Borussia Dortmund had closed the gap to the leaders to six points on Friday but Bayern were in complete control in the last Bundesliga match before the winter break, winning thanks to goals from Josip Stanisic, Michael Olize, Luis Diaz and Kane.
Kane toasted an “amazing year” in 2025 where he won his first league title, telling DAZN: “We started to build a spirit and a team energy that is hard to break and we took that into this season.
“We know there’s a long way to go until the end of the season but we’re doing all the right things.”
Bayern arrived in Heidenheim missing almost a full starting XI, with Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Konrad Laimer, Nicolas Jackson, Kim Min-jae and Aleksandar Pavlovic among those missing through injury, suspension or Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Only two outfield players on Bayern’s bench had ever started a Bundesliga match.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said it “felt like a Covid week,” adding: “The guys were dropping out one after another.
“I’m proud of the team because it’s not a given to come here and put in such a performance.”
The absentees meant England skipper Kane was handed the captain’s armband for the first time in his 121st competitive match for Bayern.
Olize had eye surgery on Monday but had no trouble guiding Bayern to an opener, curling in a corner for Stanisic to score in the 15th minute via a Jonathan Tah pass.
Olize doubled up for Bayern just after the half-hour mark in similar fashion, with a free-kick finding Hiroki Ito who laid it off for the France winger to tap home.
Looking fresh after missing Bayern’s last three matches with suspension, Diaz headed in the match-sealing goal with four minutes remaining.
Kane had missed a clear chance just after half-time but got on the scoresheet in stoppage time, sidestepping two defenders before driving a low shot inside the right post for his 30th goal of the season in all competitions.
The result leaves Heidenheim second last and stranded in the relegation spots, one point from safety.
Coach Frank Schmidt, a one-time Heidenheim player who took the club from the fifth division to the Bundesliga and the UEFA Conference League, put the focus on himself.
“I’m not satisfied. Not with myself, not with us, or with the coaching team, because we’ve allowed too many chances,” the 51-year-old said.
“It’s my responsibility to take care to make the team more stable than it is — that’s the first task.”
In Sunday’s other match, bottom-club Mainz and 16th-placed St. Pauli fought out a scoreless draw.
Captain Kane helps undermanned Bayern go nine clear in Bundesliga
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Captain Kane helps undermanned Bayern go nine clear in Bundesliga
- Kane toasted an “amazing year” in 2025 where he won his first league title, telling DAZN: “We started to build a spirit and a team energy that is hard to break and we took that into this season
Hakimi, Salah and Osimhen head star-packed AFCON last-16 cast
- A star-studded cast led by Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen switch to knockout fare from Saturday, when the Africa Cup of Nations resumes in Morocco
RABAT: A star-studded cast led by Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen switch to knockout fare from Saturday, when the Africa Cup of Nations resumes in Morocco.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Hakimi was crowned 2025 African player of the year in November. Liverpool attacker Salah and Galatasaray striker Osimhen were the runners-up.
After 36 matches spread across six groups, the 16 survivors from 24 hopefuls clash in eight second-round matches over four days.
Fit-again Hakimi is set to lead title favorites Morocco against Tanzania, Salah will captain Egypt against Benin and Osimhen-inspired Nigeria tackle Mozambique.
AFP Sport looks at the match-ups that will determine which nations advance to the quarter-finals, and move one step closer to a record $10 million (8.5 million euros) first prize.
Senegal v Sudan
Veteran Sadio Mane and Paris Saint-Germain 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, in two appearances off the bench, have been among the stars as 2022 champions Senegal confirmed why they are among the favorites by winning Group D. Sudan, representing a country ravaged by civil war since 2023, reached the second round despite failing to score. Their only Group F win, against Equatorial Guinea, came via an own goal.
Mali v Tunisia
“If we carry on playing like this we will not go much further,” warned Belgium-born Mali coach Tom Saintfiet after three Group A draws. Tunisia did well to hold Morocco, but were woeful against Nigeria until they trailed by three goals. The Carthage Eagles then scored twice and came close to equalising.
Morocco v Tanzania
A mismatch on paper as Morocco, whose only previous title came 50 years ago, are 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings. The east Africans ended a 45-year wait to get past the first round thanks to two draws. Morocco boast a potent strike force of Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid and Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos. They have scored three goals each to share the Golden Boot lead with Algerian Riyad Mahrez.
South Africa v Cameroon
South Africa debuted in the AFCON 30 years ago by hammering Cameroon 3-0 in Johannesburg. It should be much closer when they meet a second time with only four places separating them in the world rankings. In pursuit of goals, South Africa will look to Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster while 19-year-old Christian Kofane struck a stunning match-winner for Cameroon against Mozambique.
Egypt v Benin
Struggling to score for Liverpool this season, Salah has regained his appetite for goals in southern Morocco. He claimed match winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa to win Group B. Benin celebrated their first AFCON win 25 years after debuting by edging Botswana. The Cheetahs are a compact, spirited outfit led by veteran striker Steve Mounie, but lack punch up front.
Nigeria v Mozambique
Livewire Osimhen is a huge aerial threat and could have scored hat-tricks against Tanzania and Tunisia in Group C, but managed just one goal. Fellow former African player of the year Ademola Lookman has also impressed. Mozambique lost 3-0 in their previous AFCON meeting with the Super Eagles 16 years ago. It is likely to be tighter this time with striker Geny Catamo posing a threat for the Mambas (snakes).
Algeria v DR Congo
The clash of two former champions is potentially the match of the round. It is the only tie involving two European coaches — Bosnian Vladimir Petkovic and Frenchman Sebastien Desabre. Algeria and Nigeria were the only teams to win all three group matches. Former Manchester City winger Mahrez has been an inspirational captain while scoring three times.
Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso
This is the only match featuring nations from the same region. Burkina Faso and defending champions Ivory Coast share a border in west Africa. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was the only winner of two player-of-the-match awards in the group stage. The Ivorian now face impressive Burkinabe defenders Edmond Tapsoba and Issoufou Dayo.
