With both teams coming off successful quarter final displays in the Mozzart Bet Cup, Ulinzi Stars and AFC Leopards looked to build on the momentum and push for a respectable position in the league. AFC Leopards, since the docking of points by the Football Kenya Federation has been in a slump. Not managing to win any of their last 6 league games coming into this fixture. Ulinzi Stars were slowly getting into their rhythm after a poor start to the second leg.In this piece we will look at how Ulinzi Stars FC emerged 0-1 winners over AFC Leopards, decoding the dominant display by the military men in the FKF Premier League match held behind closed doors at the Nyayo National Stadium. Tusker stumble against resilient City Stars as Ulinzi Stars humble IngweUlinzi Stars head coach set his side out in a 1-4-2-3-1 shape, but with variations in possession and out of possession. In goal was Stephen Ochieng. Central defense was occupied by Bonventure Muchika and Bonface Andayi with Suleiman Chacha and Shanell Makwata manning the flanks. In central midfield was Bernard Ongoma and Alex Masinde, the centre back who has now grown into his role in midfield. In the advanced, playmaking role was Staphod Odhiambo. Boniface Muchiri and direct Clinton Omollo manned the offensive flanks as fox in the box Hillary Simiyu gave the team box presence in attack.The Ulinzi Stars build up was rather seamless as AFC Leopards did not press as intensely as they normally do. They were happy to sit back in a midblock, and that made it easier for Ulinzi Stars to move the ball. When AFC Leopards pressed high in some moments, Ulinzi Stars relied on the individual brilliance of their players to get out of the press, it was with the help of youngster Staphod Odhiambo, Bernard Ongoma, Alex Masinde and Bonventure Muchika, players with high technical levels. Bonventure Muchika and Bernard Ongoma’s body manipulation to get out of pressure and goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng’s pin point balls into the channels or lofted passes into the free man out wide majorly the fullbacks, was their main form of progression in beating the first line of pressure.##NAJAVA_MECA_7226375##In the progression phase Ulinzi Stars played in a lopsided 1-4-2-4 structure, with Staphod Odhiambo used as a second striker. This meant Ulinzi Stars looked to bypass the midfield and get in behind AFC Leopards midfield double pivot. Ulinzi Stars also did find Alex Masinde between the lines and he looked for the advancing runs of the fullback higher up the field, to aid in progression through the wide areas where Ulinzi Stars are always very dangerous. Alex Masinde’s body orientation and positioning to not only aid in his teams progression but also assist Bernard Ongoma in sniffing out attacks was brilliant throughout the game, as the two helped Boniface Andayi and Bonventure Muchika defend their box well.Suleiman Chacha looked to progress the ball through the wide areas and looked to create numerical superiority in the final third while also searching for in- behind runs by the forward players. AFC Leopards kept their inner channels compact, which meant Ulinzi Stars searched for the side corridors to progress the play.Ulinzi Stars looked to switch play to ball far sides either directly or through a third man. Ulinzi Stars players were quite easily getting in behind the AFC Leopards defensive structure and looking to attack the box, with Staphod Odhiambo getting good openings, he could have had a brace on this day as he terrorized the AFC Leopards backline. FKFPL Round 28: Gor Mahia’s lead strengthens as Vihiga Bullets stare at relegationHillary Simiyu could also be seen operating deeper in the half space, with this he looked to draw out the AFC Leopards ball sided pivot and centre back. Another pattern saw Shannell Makwata, the left fullback come inside (narrow) to create a 2-3 structure; this attracted an AFC Leopards winger to come in with him, leaving the creation of 1v1 situations in the wide areas for Ulinzi Stars in the final third, with Boniface Muchiri and Clinton Omollo occasionally dropping to receive.In conclusion, although Ulinzi Stars scored from a beautiful finish from a second ball won by Boniface Muchiri, a scoreline which will flatter the Leopards. Had Ulinzi been more clinical it would have been a different scenario. It was a game in which Ulinzi Stars coach Bernard Mwalala had done his homework, applying flexible structures in and out of possession. Overall, it was a great watch.
