With sights set on the Mozzart Bet Cup quarterfinals this weekend, AFC Leopards approached their away game against Bidco United by resting some of the mainstays in the team. At the Den it seems the Ingwe faithful have given up on any title charge ambitions, with no wins in their last 6 league games, one would understand why.Bidco United under Anthony Akhulia always seem to up their game when facing AFC Leopards,noting they beat AFC Leopards 4-1 in the first leg, this was a match the Bidco boss would have urged his side to build on the momentum after their emphatic 3-0 win against Sofapaka. In this piece we look at how both teams set out and why the shouts of “second balls” from the Bidco United bench were key in this fixture.Bidco United set up in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation.With emphasis on creating overload to isolate scenarios and winning of duels in the centre of the pitch. In goal was Edwin Omwabani with Thomas Wainaina, who had a very interesting role in this game, and David Kalama manning the flanks, in central defense was the partnership of Francis Oduor and Gabriel Wandera with Peter Nzuki rested. The double pivot consisted of Michael Omondi and Jacob Onyango, who have grown to form a very fruitful understanding In central midfield. Jacob Onyango’s late runs into the box and Michael Omondi remaining to protect the backline have been a joy to watch. David Orem was tasked with playing in the advanced attacking midfield position. On the flanks were Lameck Oloo and Alex Juma with Samuel Ndun’gu leading the line. This was a tactically balanced side from Coach Anthony Akhulia.Tanui’s late goal earns Nzoia a win over Posta RangersAFC Leopards Coach Patrick Aussems sent out a rather second string side. In a 1-4-2-3-1 formation, opting to rest his main players in this match as earlier stated. In goal was Maxwell Mulili with Boniface Mukhekhe and Washinton Munene the wide defenders. In central defense was Collins Shivachi and Zachariah Njite. The double pivot consisted of Moses Lukuhumwa and Brian Wanyama with Abdalah Asad in the advanced role. Leading the line was Maxwell Otieno flanked by Eugene Mukangula and Dan Sunguti.##NAJAVA_MECA_7208831##This was always going to be a very aggressive match. AFC Leopards opted to go for long balls from the goalkeeper into the wide channels. This game plan was well prepared for by Bidco United who played aerially dominant centre backs and looked to get their heads on the long balls. In settled possession AFC leopards looked to string a few passes centrally before quickly switching the ball to the wide areas where they would look to create chances through 1v1 situations or early crosses. One would argue AFC Leopards would have better chances knocking the ball around and not bypassing their midfield, with the inversion of Eugene Mukangula centrally they looked to create overloads centrally. The overloads were however not possible in this aspect as the advanced midfielder Abdalah Asad was not keen on getting , into the middle battle opting to play between the lines. This meant the midfield battle was a 3v3, with Bidco’s aggression there was only one winner in the first half midfield battle. AFC Leopards were very wary of the threat posed by Bidco attacker Alex Juma in behind thus Washington Munene had limited forays in the Bidco United half. However the instance where he managed to overlap and create a 2v1 situation against Bidco United’s David Kalama AFC were at their most dangerous, a potent cross headed just over the bar. Eugene Mukangula who was to be key for Leopards stepped up well and his shot on inverting led to a goal after poor goalkeeping. AFC Press Vs Bidco Build UpBidco United in possession looked to build up in a 3-2-5 shape, with the aim of using a low build up to create space higher up by baiting the opposition to press. This would enable them to get space in the channels where they knew they could hurt the Leopards. The Centre backs looked to split off the goalkeeper with the right back staying deep and the fullback pushing forward to create an overload on the Leopard’s last line of defense. AFC Leopards looked to press this build up structure in a 1-4-4-2/1-4-4-1-1 formation aiming to stop Bidco United from any central penetration. In their creation phase Bidco United’s shape was dependent on the ball and the opponents positions, their main form of creation was the creation of overloads to isolate. In this game they thrived off central and left sided overloads to create isolated 1v1 situations for their main threat Alex Juma. It seemed that Coach Anthony Akhulia encouraged rotations between David Orem and Samuel Ndung’u as it was common to see the latter attaching to a centre back then dropping deep to create space in behind. The rotations between the left back, left central midfielder and left winger were also heavily encouraged in their set-up. This emphasis on loading central spaces seemed to trouble AFC Leopards in the first half especially as they were missing midfield dynamo Musa Oundo. The movement of the left back forward would act as a trigger for Alex Juma to move wide and in this way he was able to attack the space well, when AFC Leopards looked to double team him this would create possibilities of space centrally which the late runners from Bidco United would utilize well. Out of possession Bidco United looked to be very aggressive on the second balls. Their technical bench continuously isnsisting in the need for aggression in duels. This aggression seemed to throw off the Leopards rhythm, the aggressive 3v3 actions in midfield and Bidco United’s Gabriel Wandera not shy in stepping out worked well for the Bidco United team. The issue of delayed closing down and hesitant goalkeeping cost them the three points in what was a tactical masterclass from their coach. AFC block Vs Bidco United Creation phaseHeading into the cup weekend, expect a rejuvenated and dangerous full strength AFC Leopards side. They will look to maintain some form of dignity in finishing in the league but a cup win is what the Ingwe faithful will want. As for Bidco it was a good showing and they will need to build on the momentum with the remaining league games.
