After double headed league encounters that saw both teams share the spoils, Ulinzi Stars and Sofapaka FC meet in the Mozzart Bet Cup quarter finals. Here a winner must be identified, be it within normal time or penalties. The two sides have not had the best second half of the season when it comes to league form. However the cup is a different ball game and here both teams will look to at least add some adventure to the tail end of their seasons. In this tactical analysis piece we set out to understand how the two teams could set up, their tactical approaches and where, from a purely tactical point of view, can the game be won or lost.Sofapaka under coach David Ouma come off a disappointing 3-2 home loss to struggling and relegation threatened Wazito Fc. In the Sofapaka ranks expect Simon Masaka to be called back into the fold in goal. The fullback options could be Tyson Omondi and Evans Maliachi. In central defense will be aerially dominant Stephen Okola and David Nshirimana. Roy Okal and Sebastien Sunday are expected to partner in midfield as Ben Stanley plays in the advanced playmaker/second striker role. Jacob Panoam who netted against Wazito is set to play on the offensive flanks with Simon Munala. Roddy Manga is expected to lead the line.Ulinzi Stars under coach Bernard Mwalala are expected to set up in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation. In goal could be the impressive Stephen Ochieng, who was the man of the match in Ulinzi Stars triumph over Vihiga Bullets. Coast lads Suleiman Chacha and Omar Mbongi are expected to occupy the fullback positions, with Boniface Andayi and Bonventure Muchika in central defense. Bernard Ongoma should partner Issa Lumumba in midfield with Staphod Odhiambo in the advanced area. On the flanks will most likely be Boniface Muchiri and Stephen Etyang as Enosh Ochieng leads the line.🚨MATCHDAY🏆Mozzartbet Cup quarterfinals 🆚 @UlinziStarsFC⌚ 3:15pm📌Police Sacco stadium pic.twitter.com/pyJYjFJpbC— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) April 29, 2023 The ability to defend crosses and track late runners into the box will be key in this particular fixture. In the reverse fixture that ended in a 2-2 draw; both teams’ goals came from crossing scenarios. Sofapaka will look to lay their play heavily on the left side, on this side they look to create possibilities of an overload, with the under lapping or overlapping runs of Evans Maliachi the left back key in how they create. Sofapaka drag the ball wide then look for early dipping crosses in the box that create chaos in the opposition ranks. In Sebastien Sunday Sofapaka also pose a threat between the lines. The Sofapaka offensive player has proven that he is a man for the big occasions and this just might be it. His final third instinct is one of the best, noting how he detaches himself from keen defenders, then pops up on the blindside to finish off chances. Sofapaka will pose a major threat on set pieces too, in the league fixture between the two, every Sofapaka set piece seemed to trouble the Ulinzi Stars backline, how they position their line of confrontation and seek to protect their goalkeeper will be essential in shifting the balance of the game.Mozzart Bet Cup: Semifinal spots up for grabs in Saturday actionUlinzi Stars have a really good offensive wing combination. In Stephen Etyang and Boniface Muchiri, coach Bernard Mwalala has aces up his sleeve. Stephen Etyang, who got two assists the last time these teams met, Ulinzi Stars have a 1v1 winger who can beat his man any time of day. His ability to cross from deep and also hit the byline for dangerous cutbacks is a recipe for disaster for opposition defenses. In Boniface Muchiri, Ulinzi Stars have an accomplished international that is a major set-piece threat and a creative wide playmaker. Boniface Muchiri is undoubtedly the soul of this Ulinzi Stars team. Ulinzi Stars will look to create through overload to isolate scenarios and quickly switch balls into Stephen Etyang and Boniface Muchiri. There will be the keen eye of an overlap by Suleiman Chacha who also has a wicked cross on him. Ulinzi Stars will look to work with early crosses and late runners into the box that will look to pounce on these crosses. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7217580##Between the lines, Ulinzi Stars have Staphod Odhiambo, who as in the reverse fixture between these two sides also got a goal. Staphod Odhiambo is a gifted playmaker who is not shy. The distances between the Sofapaka defensive and middle line will need to be very compact, as any lapse in concentration will be punished. Sofapaka FC will have to be more aggressive too in their pressing, giving the Ulinzi Centre backs time on the ball, especially with the long ball prowess of Bonventure Muchika, they could get punished, also allowing Issa Lumumba to drop deep and dictate the tempo could have dangerous ramifications on Sofapaka. This is a game that will see both sides approach it in a very aggressive manner. Ulinzi Stars will feel that they can build on the momentum of their recent league win; the quality in their ranks should see them through the fixture. However, one cannot easily rule out Sofapaka, they could come, sit behind the ball, be aggressive in the duels and play for set-pieces, an area they are very dangerous in. An aggressive Sofapaka will create possibilities of a top clash between the two premier league giants.
