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Mumbai City looked set to win the league stage of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) a few rounds ago but they now find themselves five points off ATK Mohun Bagan who are comfortably placed at the top of the table 

With the Islanders set to face the Mariners in the final league stage fixture of the season. the battle for the top spot was expected to be decided only then. However, with Mumbai City dropping points at the tail end of the season, Antonio Habas' team only need two points from their last two fixtures to seal their league title victory and qualify for next season's AFC Champions League. In fact, all they need to do is avoid losing to Mumbai City in their final league game to seal the top spot.

Bagan have been absolutely impeccable with their performances during the final phase of the league stage and have delivered when it matters. They have registered five wins a row and are in pole position to secure the top spot.

Mumbai City, on the other hand, have thrown away their comfortable lead at the top of the table and have suffered a drop in form during the same period. Lobera's team has just one win in their last six games, an unacceptable record for a team that put together a record-breaking run of being unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches earlier this season. 

Mumbai's loss against Jamshedpur on Saturday was their fourth defeat of the season - they now have lost the most number of games among the top five teams. Curiously, three of the four losses have come in their last six games, which is a classic case of throwing an advantage away.

The CFG-owned club would hope that the Mariners, who are in a terrific run of form, drop points against Hyderabad. The top two teams will then be involved in a face-off which will determine the eventual league winner.  

"I always believe till the end but now the situation has changed. We depend on them and we need to keep an eye on the result on Monday. It is a difficult situation because so far it depended on us. If ATK Mohun Bagan doesn't win their next game then we still have a chance," Lobera had said after the defeat against Jamshedpur on Saturday. 

It has been a phenomenal turnaround in the fight at the top of the table involving two standout performers this season and the well-oiled machine from Kolkata are now in the driving seat. They now face two teams who have different yet strong reasons to beat them. Hyderabad are involved in the race for the top four and Mumbai City need that top spot in their first season under Sergio Lobera. The league stage is set for a grand finish. 

Hitesh Sharma made just four appearances in the 2015-16 edition of I-League and had only four starts in the following season.

He was a teenager looking to play more games and hoped a move to Indian Super League (ISL) club ATK would be the turning point. But after two seasons at the Kolkata-based club, he had to leave looking for first-team minutes. 

The 2020-21 season of ISL, under the head coach Manuel Marquez, has now become the big break Hitesh has been waiting for all his professional career. For the first time in his career, he has featured more than 10 times in the starting lineup and clocked more than a 1000 minutes in a single season. 

The Jalandhar-born player has only missed three league games for Hyderabad this season and has started 13 games in midfield. He is pleased to have played so many games but has his feet firmly on the ground as the Nizams chase a spot in the playoffs for the first time since their inception last year. 

He told Goal, "As a team, it has been a really good season for us so far. I have been decent this season but I think it is the performance of the players around me that makes me look good. So, I can say that season has gone well but there is still a long way to go."

The former Mumbai FC and ATK midfielder is part of a squad that possesses more than few talented Indian and foreign players. Hitesh believes his club has able characters in the dressing room who can help each other strive for success this season.

He also heaped praise on the impact of Manuel Marquez, who took over before the season kicked off and after Albert Roca received an offer to join FC Barcelona as a fitness coach. Marquez has done a good job with a young squad and his efforts have already been rewarded with a new contract.

"We have some really talented players in the squad. We also have good foreign players helping us but what is more important is that every player in our team is a good human being, ready to give everything for the club. For me, this team involved every player in the squad and also the staff. They are who make our performances stand out in games."

He added, "Manolo (Marquez) is a really popular coach in Spain. His understanding of the players, especially the young ones, and bringing the best out of them has made him a real asset for everyone involved with the club. It is difficult to explain the style of play but for me, it is how he handles things mentally that sets him apart."

Hyderabad are currently third on the table with 27 points from 18 matches and will go through to the knockout round if they win their last two games. Reaching the playoffs is an important feat for the club as the Nizams had a debut season to forget which saw them finish at the bottom of the standings. 

"I don’t really want to talk about the past. For me, as is for most players at the club, this is a chance for us to prove ourselves. I want to grow as a player here and want to fulfil my dreams. That is what we focus on and we rarely think about the other teams.

"Like I already said, we have a group of really talented youngsters at Hyderabad. But I like to believe that our biggest strength is that we play as a team," the player began. 

"We have a striker in Aridane Santana, who acts as our first line of defence and a goalkeeper in Laxmikant Kattimani, who is capable of starting attacks from the back. The statistics also show how involved every player is and I think that is what makes us stand out as individuals. They are full of quality. But our team best quality is we play as a team."

Hitesh has been a solid presence in midfield and is a player who gives his all on the field. The teamwork at Hyderabad has worked wonders and they are currently unbeaten in their last 10 matches - it is their longest unbeaten run ever in ISL. 

They are set to face league leaders ATK Mohun Bagan up next and will end their season with a heavyweight clash against playoff rivals FC Goa. 

Mikel Arteta has hinted Arsenal would like to turn Martin Odegaard’s loan at Arsenal into a permanent arrangement.

The Norwegian midfielder joined the Gunners on loan from Real Madrid towards the end of the January transfer window.

Odegaard has made a promising start to life in north London - so much so that Arteta said he has the potential to become one of the best players in the world - and the Gunners coach is hopeful of being able to persuade the player to remain at Arsenal.

What was said?

“We have Martin for a few months from Real Madrid and first of all we have to maximise this time with him to try to bring to the team all the qualities he has,” Arteta said. 

“At the end of the season we will sit together and decide where we can take that relationship forward. At the moment it doesn’t just depend on us.”

What does Odegaard bring to Arsenal?

The 22-year-old has shown his quality in loan spells at Vitesse and Real Sociedad, with his composure and creativity winning many fans.

Composure looked one of his primary skillsets in the 4-2 win over Leeds, and Arteta feels he has a leader on his hands.

“On the pitch he is showing a lot of character and a lot of intelligence,” Arteta said. “They are characteristics that a leader should have.

“He has been here a very short time but he has adapted very quickly. He is getting more and more respect from the players and the staff and his weight on the team will increase with every week.”

Is a deal for Odegaard likely?

The indications coming out of the Arsenal camp are positive, so there appears to be willing from the buying side.

Odegaard gave an interview in his native Norway saying he was enjoying life in London, and did not rule out extending his stay.

Real will have the final say and much will depend on their transfer strategy in the summer.

If the Spanish champions want to make a big signing in the summer, they are likely to need to free up funds and that could leave the door ajar for Arsenal to press ahead with a bid for Odegaard.

Further reading

Ademola Lookman has now had a hand in seven goals for Fulham in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign having found the net in the Cottagers 1-0 defeat of Sheffield United on Saturday night.

With scores still 0-0 at Craven Cottage, the former English youth international handed Scott Parker’s men all points at stake thanks to his 61st minute effort.

Profiting from a long ball for Joachim Andersen, the former Everton man controlled the ball with his chest, turned Ethan Ampadu around before unleashing a shot past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

As a result of that, the Super Eagles prospect has now contributed four goals and three assists in the EPL for Fulham so far this term - the most of any Cottager.

Also, the 23-year-old’s four goals in 22 English elite division games bring him one goal short of his best tally of netting in a topflight campaign. While at German elite division side RB Leipzig in 2017-18, he scored five goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances.

Despite an improved effort after the conceding first, Chris Wilder’s Blades tried in vain towards getting an equaliser as they now account for 20 defeats out of 20 outings, which sees them remain at the base of the log having garnered just 11 points.

After a notable shift, Lookman was replaced in the 90th minute by Bobby Reid. Bordeaux loanee Josh Maja was handed his third start but came off for Gabonese midfielder Mario Lemina with four minutes left to play, while the trio of Ola Aina, Tosin Adarabioyo and Cameroonian star Andre-Frank Anguissa saw action from start to finish.

“I’m very proud of the team,” Parker told club website after the game.

“It’s been a tough week in terms of the games we’ve had to play, the travelling we’ve had to do.

“I think we all understood tonight what this game was about.

“The message to the team before the game was to focus on us, let’s not listen to the noise that’s been created around this game.

“Throughout this year there’s been one soul focus and that is us, that’s been my constant message.

“I know with that, us showing our quality and playing with a freedom we’ll get results, and I think that was proven tonight.”

Even with this triumph, Fulham remain in the relegation waters with 22 points from 25 fixtures to occupy the 18th spot. Unbeaten in their last four games, they are guests of Crystal Palace on February 28.

Zinedine Zidane has insisted Real Madrid will not take any risks with Karim Benzema’s fitness.

The forward sat out Madrid’s 1-0 win at Valladolid on Saturday on account of an ankle injury and is a doubt for the clash with Atalanta in the Champions League next week.

Benzema will have a scan on Sunday in a bid to shed light on the severity of the problem, and Zidane’s cautious assessment suggests he will not be fit to face the Serie A side.

What was said?

“We are not going to take risks with Benzema because the season is long,” Zidane said. “If he is fine, he will be with us. If not, he won’t. 

“We are not going to take risks. We never take risks. 

“If it was the Champions League final, that is different and we could [take a risk]. If it’s the final game of the Liga season, maybe.

“But there are many games to play, so we won’t take risks. He will have a scan tomorrow and we will see.”

Real’s injury problems

Benzema joined a long list of injuries Zidane is having to manage.

Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo Goes, Federico Valverde, Alvaro Odriozola, Eden Hazard, Marcelo and Eder Militao are all in the treatment room and unlikely to be fit to face Atalanta.

On the wider problem, Zidane said: “It’s true that we have lots of injuries, but we hope to get players back soon. 

“We are not happy about it but there is nothing we can do. For now, we have to make do with who we have here and we’re doing that. The players who are available are committed.”

Further reading

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Edinson Cavani's strong debut campaign at Old Trafford hasn't come as a surprise to him.

The 34-year-old has made a big impact after signing as a free agent last October, scoring seven goals in all competitions and six in the Premier League. 

Solskjaer indicated he will sit down with Cavani at the end of the season to determine whether to trigger the club's option to extend the striker's contract by a further season.

What did Solskjaer say about Cavani?

“I haven’t been surprised by Edinson, just impressed,” the United boss said.

“I spoke to Ander Herrera and Diego Forlan and other players who knew Edinson. Every single one of them sang Edinson’s praises for his attitude, his personality – and that is exactly what we have seen.

”I can only say that I have been really impressed with him. But surprised, no, because I knew what we were getting.“

On contract talks with Cavani, Solskjaer added: “I will sit down with him at the end of the season. 

“We will have a discussion with Edinson and between ourselves at the club. But I have to say that what he’s done has been very positive.

"All I will say is that I hope the weather in Manchester will improve for him!”

The bigger picture

After being brought along slowly at the beginning of the season, Cavani has taken on a bigger role with United of late. 

The Uruguayan has started eight Premier League matches this season, but six of those have come in the club's last eight matches. 

Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood have failed to match their scoring form of last season, meaning Cavani's goals have been vital to a team that have been led by Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.

United, who are second in the Premier League standings, lead the league in goals scored with 50 from 24 games.

Further reading

Marco Reus has described Erling Haaland as a "machine" who drives Borussia Dortmund forward.

After netting two goals against Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday , the Norwegian scored another brace in Dortmund’s 4-0 win over Schalke in the Revierderby, including a stunning volley.

Dortmund went on a run of one win from six games in the Bundesliga earlier in the year, but victories over Sevilla and Schalke suggest a return to form is on the horizon, and Reus has hailed Haaland as the catalyst.

What was said?

"Erling is an absolute machine,” Reus told Sky Germany . “He's very hungry for goals. You see that in every game. We hope that he continues like this.

“His positive energy on the pitch pushes all of us.”

A landmark for Sancho

Jadon Sancho, who assisted Haaland’s volley with a curling cross, netted Dortmund’s opening goal of the match with a precision finish from the edge of the box.

In finding the target in the 42nd minute, Sancho set a landmark by becoming the youngest player in Bundesliga history to hit the 35-goal mark.

Haaland had words of praise for Sancho following the game.

“Me and Jadon we keep finding each other,” Haaland told Sport 1 . “It is a pleasure to play with this guy.”

Dortmund’s season expectations

Despite Bayern Munich suffering a shock loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, the Bundesliga is beyond Dortmund as they trail the leaders by 13 points - with a place in the top four the best they can hope for.

Dortmund are well set to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and even though they look fragile defensively, the attacking talents of Haaland and Sancho will worry any side they face.

But it’s likely that Dortmund’s best chance of silverware is in the German Cup. With Bayern out, it is wide open and they will have high hopes of toppling Borussia Monchengladbach in the quarter-finals next month.

Further Reading

Jurgen Klopp said referee Chris Kavanagh spotted something that no one else saw when he awarded Everton a penalty in their 2-0 win against Liverpool on Saturday.

With Everton up 1-0 late in the match, Dominic Calvert-Lewin had an effort saved by Alisson and tried to follow up from the rebound, but was tripped by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Kavanagh pointed to the spot after a quick VAR check, and Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up to slot past Alisson and seal a win for the Toffees against their Merseyside rivals for the first time since 2010. 

What did Klopp say about the penalty decision?

"I really think it’s unfair to ask me because everybody asked me that question. That means everybody thinks it was not a penalty. But that's not really important because the ref thought it's a penalty," he said at a press conference.

"I wanted to talk to him now after the first few interviews I had but they left already. I just wanted to ask what did he see because the VAR calls you over in a situation like that, then I think he is in doubt about the decision.

"But he needed only a second. He went there, watched it from three or four yards, turned and penalty. So he obviously saw something that all other people didn’t see.

"I didn’t see it back yet but everybody who speaks to me tells me the same: 'How can it be a penalty?'"

Liverpool's losing streak keeps going

Liverpool have now lost four Premier League games in a row and will look to bounce back when they face Sheffield United next Sunday.

For the first time in 98 years, the Reds have also lost four league home matches in a row.

The defending champions sit in sixth place, 16 points off Man City at the top and three points behind fourth-place Chelsea.

Further reading

The last time Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin faced each other, the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) fixture ended in a goalless draw. The two teams are set to lock horns at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, on Sunday evening in what is set to be the last game of the season for the two-time champions.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

 TEAM NEWS

Kerala Blasters Possible XI:

Injured - Nishu Kumar
Doubtful - None
Suspended - Sandeep Singh

Key Players - Gary Hooper, Jordan Murray

Chennaiyin Possible XI: 

Injured - None
Doubtful - Eli Sabia
Suspended - None

Key Players - Manuel Lanzarote, Lallianzuala Chhangte

Bengaluru enter the tie on the back of a morale boosting 4-2 win over Mumbai City, and fellow 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) play-off contenders FC Goa after a 3-1 win over Odisha. The contest will take centre stage at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda, on Sunday evening.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

Bengaluru Possible XI:

Injured - Juanan, Rahul Bheke
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Sunil Chhetri, Cleiton Silva

FC Goa Possible XI: 

Injured - None
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Igor Angulo, Alberto Noguera

Jamie Carragher has said the time has come for Liverpool to stop offering up Virgil van Dijk's absence as an excuse for the collapse of their season.

The Reds crashed to a 2-0 home defeat to Everton on Saturday, with the loss seeing the Reds match an unwanted record dating back 98 years, and they are now in danger of missing out on the top four.

Van Dijk suffered a serious knee injury in the reverse fixture with Everton in October, and Carragher feels his former club's problems run much deeper than the Dutchman’s absence.

What was said?

"Liverpool have been so poor, they have got everything deserved,” Carragher said on Sky Sports following the derby loss at Anfield. 

“They can't keep saying 'Virgil van Dijk is out'. I'm sick of saying it myself."

"Going forward is as big a problem as what we're seeing defensively from Liverpool now. I know Liverpool have dominated possession but it doesn't mean anything if you don't create. And that is a big problem for this Liverpool team.

"Very rarely do you see Liverpool play now when you expect them to score."

Former Reds star Graeme Souness added: "They're a shadow of their former selves. They're an easy touch.

"2-0 doesn't flatter Everton. They deserved to win it. In all the areas that really matter, they were better than Liverpool."

Liverpool’s attacking issues

Mohamed Salah tops the Premier League scoring charts with an impressive 17 goals, but his attacking partners Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have mustered only seven and six goals respectively.

That is in stark contrast to the previous two campaigns when the three netted at a stunning rate. In the title-winning season of 2019-20, Salah hit 19, Mane 18 and Firmino nine, while in 2018-19, when the Reds ran Manchester City so close, the numbers were 22, 22 and 12 respectively.

Further reading

Georginio Wijnaldum says it was "extra painful" for Liverpool to lose 2-0 to local rivals Everton on Saturday, as he felt his side were the better team through 90 minutes.

An early goal from Richarlison and an 83rd-minute penalty from Gylfi Sugrudsson saw the Toffees beat their Merseyside rivals for the first time since 2010.

The Reds have now lost four games in a row in the Premier League, and have also lost four straight league home games for the first time in 98 years.

What has been said?

"You know what the derby means for the club, the supporters, the players - it means a lot and the loss is extra painful," Wijnaldum told Sky Sports.

"The first goal we conceded, we tried to keep possession when the long ball came instead of clearing it away. In the first couple of minutes you should take less risk, a pass through the defence and they scored. One more chance after that and we were the better team."

Liverpool's injury problems get worse

Liverpool's campaign has been plagued by injuries and the crisis worsened on Saturday when Jordan Henderson was forced off in the first half.

But Wijnaldum insists they cannot feel sorry for themselves and must keep the fight going until the end of the season.

"Losing players during the season upset us a lot. We cannot play the victims, we have to deal with the situation and not feel sorry for ourselves.

"We have to give until the end of the season, it is painful and you could see it on the faces of the players. That is the situation we are in right now and we have to deal with it.

"Winning games in the Premier League is always difficult and the injuries don't make it easier, we still have a squad who can change it around and we have to work harder to change it around."

What next for Liverpool?

The Reds are sixth in the league and 16 points behind leaders Manchester City ahead of Pep Guardiola's side's meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp's team are in action again next Sunday when they face bottom side Sheffield United, which is followed by a home game against Chelsea on March 4.

Further reading

Serie A is the top level of football in Ecuador, with 16 teams from across the country fighting it out in the 2021 edition which started Friday. 

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

The new campaign will be divided into two stages, with a winner crowned at the end of each phase.

The two victors will then advance to the finals in order to dispute the title of champion at the end of the year.

How to watch Manta vs Barcelona

Manta are newcomers to Serie A for the coming term.

The club ended five long years in the second tier with promotion during the Covid-interrupted 2020 season, clinching second place behind 9 de Octubre to go up. 

Their priority this season will be to consolidate that place among Ecuador's elite, but they face a baptism of fire against the reigning champions. 

Barcelona beat out Guayaquil arch-rivals in the Second stage of the 2020 season to book their place in the final against LDU Quito, who ran out winners in the first half of the year. 

Both legs of the finals ended in stalemate, and Barcelona eventually triumphed 3-1 on penalties to lift their first Serie A crown since 2016.

Manta vs Barcelona is available to stream worldwide on Fanatiz , where you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.

You can watch all of the 2021 Serie A season live on  Fanatiz .

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

What other Serie A matches are available on Fanatiz?

Watch Serie A live on Fanatiz.

Victor Moses was sent off as Spartak Moscow bowed 2-0 to Dinamo Moscow in Saturday’s Russian Cup encounter.

With nine minutes to the conclusion of the Round of 16 fixture, the Chelsea loanee was dismissed for a second caution by referee Kirill Levnikov.

Moses, 30, had already been cautioned in the 15th minute of the encounter, however, he was shown a red card for his tackle on Russian forward Daniil Lesovoy. That is the third time the former Wigan Athletic, Liverpool and Inter Milan man would be given his marching orders in his professional career.

Having in mind that the winners of the crunch Moscow derby would be guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals of the competition, both clubs came to the VTB Arena with all guns blazing.

Nevertheless, it was the Loudspeakers who took the lead in the 16th minute as Daniil Fomin converted from the penalty mark after VAR replays adjudged Moses to have handled a corner kick taken by Daniil Lesovoy. Fomin took the ensuing kick and sent goalkeeper Aleksandr Maksimenko the wrong way.

All efforts from the visiting team to level matters proved abortive as the first-half ended 1-0 in favour of Sandro Schwarz’s team.

In the second half, Spartak Moscow dominated the ball possession, yet, their constant attacking moves met strong resistance from a solid Spartak backline plus some moments of brilliance by goalkeeper Anton Shunin.

Twenty minutes to full-time, substitute Konstantin Tyukavin sealed the win after heading past Maksimenko a cross from Polish midfielder Sebastian Szymanski.

Nigeria international Sylvester Igboun was introduced for Vyacheslav Grulyov with eight minutes to the end of the encounter, while Burkina Faso star Charles Kabore was brought in for Szymanski in the 91st minute. Cameroon international Clinton N'Jie was not listed for the low scoring encounter.

Thanks to this result, Dinamo Moscow are through to the last eight of the tournament as Spartak’s ambition of a 14th cup success faded into thin air.

Moses and his teammates would now shift their attention to February 28’s league showdown against Rubin Kazan. As it stands, they occupy third position in the Russian top-flight with 35 points from 19 outings in the 2020-21 campaign.

Jordan Henderson has added to Liverpool’s fitness concerns by going off injured against Everton, with Jurgen Klopp revealing after his side's 2-0 loss that Henderson's injury was "not good."

The England international took the ball beyond Abdoulaye Doucoure in the first half but immediately pulled up in pain.

He received treatment and attempted to play on, but was substituted off a short while later and was replaced by Nat Phillips.

What happened to Henderson?

With the Reds trailing 1-0, Henderson attempted to bring the ball out from the back and advanced beyond Doucoure only to crumple to the ground in pain.

Henderson was struggling long before hitting the deck in the 25th minute, and immediately clutched his inner leg.

The 30-year-old received treatment and attempted to stretch out the problem and, following a chat with the medical staff, he took the decision to return to the field.

However, as much as he wanted to play on, common sense prevailed and Henderson was subbed off with 30 minutes on the clock.

What was said?

When asked by Sky Sports to provide an update on Henderson’s injury, Klopp said: "Groin, adductor region, so it’s not good.

“We don’t know exactly, it’s the groin, adductor region, the rest we will know tomorrow.”

In his press conference, Klopp added: "Nobody in the medical department was positive about it. But we have to wait for the scan tomorrow."

Which other players are injured for Liverpool?

Reds boss Klopp’s treatment room is full to the brim.

Naby Keita was passed fit to take his place on the bench following two months out with a hamstring problem, but Fabinho remains on the sidelines along with James Milner.

The two versatile midfielders, who can also operate in defence, are joined in the treatment room by long-term absentees Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Diogo Jota.

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt was especially pleased with the performance of former South Africa striker Bernard Parker in the 1-1 draw with SuperSport United on Saturday afternoon at the FNB Stadium.

In the last two-and-a-half seasons Parker has scored just three and totalled six assists. Against Matsatsantsa however he was played in a deeper midfield role, and the 34-year-old impressed by finding pockets of space and getting Chiefs on the front foot.

"Bernard Parker was man of the match," Hunt told Chiefs media after the match.

"We played him in central midfield because we don't really have anyone. We played him there and he was fantastic, he was really good," Hunt added.

Chiefs were the better side in the first half and scored first through a beautiful strike by Reeve Frosler in the 29th minute.

Matsatsantsa grew stronger after the interval and equalised through a Bradley Grobler penalty on 67 minutes, following a reckless foul by Anthony Akumu Agay on Thamsanqa Gabuza. It was Grobler’s fourth goal in his last four matches against the Soweto giants.

Amakhosi’s task was made harder after injuries had forced Willard Katsande and Frosler to be subbed three minutes before the goal.

Defender Erick Mathoho also never made it onto the park after failing a late fitness test and Chiefs have indeed had a lengthy injury list this season.

"Every game we are taking off players because of various reasons,” Hunt explained. I'm not taking off players because I want to make a change. It's been like most of the season, I can't make a tactical change. I have to just make a change to plug holes and that's where it is.”

The draw leaves Chiefs in ninth spot on the table with 19 points from 17 games – four wins, seven draws and six defeats.

And while Hunt did credit his men for having a “good mentallity” on Saturday, he did cast doubt to the quality of his squad after posing the question himself, “Are we good enough or not? That's another problem.”

Unknown gunmen attacked players and coaching crew of Adamawa United along the Benin-Ore expressway during their trip for the Nigeria Professional Football League fixture against MFM FC.

One of the team officials who was not among the travelling contingent, anonymously confirmed the incident to Goal, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of 50 million naira for the abducted driver.

Adamawa United left Gombe on Friday with the ambition to battle MFM FC in their Matchday 11 fixture at the Agege Stadium on Sunday.

With the players and coaches’ valuables stolen, it remains to be seen if the match will go on with no official response from the League Management Company at the time of filing this report.

Adamawa United have been hosting their home matches at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe this season, as the Future Stadium in Yola is still under construction.

Gombe United, currently competing in the second division, have sympathised with Ladan Bosso’s side following the unfortunate event.

The incident happened a day after their league rivals Wikki Tourists survived an accident, which saw their bus caught up in flames at Hawan Kibo – a town near Jos, Plateau State.

The Bauchi-based club was aided by Plateau United who granted them their bus to journey back home after their league outing against Dakkada FC in Uyo was postponed.

Adamawa United are currently winless in the NPFL in this campaign, and they sit at the bottom of the table with three points after 10 matches.

Evan Ndicka was impressive in the defence as Eintracht Frankfurt stunned Bayern Munich 2-1 in a Bundesliga fixture on Saturday.

The 21-year-old player of Cameroonian descent played from start to finish as first-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Amin Younes powered the hosts to their fifth straight win in the German top-flight.

Robert Lewandowski's 53rd-minute goal was not enough to inspire a comeback for Bayern Munich after they were held to a 3-3 draw by Arminia Bielefeld on Monday.

Although he was booked in stoppage-time, Ndicka's defensive performance has helped Adi Hutter's side remain unbeaten in the league since their 2-1 loss to Wolfsburg on December 11.

The Indomitable Lions captain Eric Choupo-Moting was also in action for the Bavarians at the Deutsche Bank Park but his contributions were not enough and he was replaced in the 82nd minute.

Despite the loss, Bayern Munich still sit at the top of the table with a five-point lead above second-placed RB Leipzig while Eintracht Frankfurt rose to fourth in the league standings with 42 points from 22 matches.

In Koln, Nigeria striker Emmanuel Dennis continued his wait for his maiden Bundesliga goal as the hosts fell to a 1-0 defeat against Stuttgart.

Dennis, who is on loan from Club Brugge until the end of the season, played the entire duration but he couldn't hit the back of the net.

With five appearances across all competitions, the 23-year-old has only scored a goal for the Billy Goats which came in their DFB Pokal loss earlier this month.

Eslewhere in Freiburg, Taiwo Awoniyi did not make Union Berlin’s matchday squad as they grabbed a rare away victory over Christian Streich’s side.

Grischa Promel scored the only goal that separated both teams in the 64th minute.