The Mapinduzi cup final group B game saw heavyweights of African football come head to head in Simba SC of Tanzania and Rwandan giants APR FC at the New Aman Complex in Zanzibar. The games had been coming in thick and fast for both teams and this called for both managers to ring the changes in this encounter.In this piece we set out to look at the tactical chess match that was between Simba tactician Abdelhak Benchika and APR’s Froger Christian in the game that ended 0-0.Simba SC na APR wanagawana pointi katika mechi ya mwisho hatua ya Makundi. Sasa katika hatua ya Robo Fainali Simba SC watacheza na Jamhuri na APR watacheza dhidi ya Yanga #MapinduziCup2024 pic.twitter.com/Zef3uhSLAa— WorldSports14 (@WorldSports14_) January 5, 2024 Simba’s Benchika set his side out in a fluid 1-4-4-2 formation, with major emphasis on rotations between the forwards. In goal, there was a third goalkeeping change for the third game in a row; Abel Hussein was the assigned goalkeeper. The fullbacks were Israel Mwenda and David Kameta.Kennedy Juma and Hussein Kazi were the center back partnership. In central midfield, Simba opted for Sadio Kanoute and Fabrice Ngoma.Jimmyson Mwanuke and Michael Chilambo were the wingers, while Saido Ntibazonkiza came into the fold playing just off Shaban Chilunda.Line up. #UchumiWaBuluu #VisitZanzibar #WenyeNchi #MapinduziCup2024 #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/KImtCXvzzy— Simba SC Tanzania English (@SimbaSC_EN) January 5, 2024 APR FC set up in a 1-4-1-4-1 formation with major emphasis on transition football and compactness in between the lines. Ndzila Pavelh was in goal while Banga Solomon and Yunusu Nshiyimana were the central defenders flanked by Sharaf Eldin and Christian Ishimwe.Holding midfield was tasked to Ramdhan Niyibizi, a true midfield dynamo. The front four ahead of him consisted of former Simba man and Sudanese international Sharaf Eldin, and Bosco Runeka as the advanced midfielders. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7781584##Gilbert Mugisha and Sanda Soulei were the wingers, while lone man Taiba Mbonyuma led the line.The game panned out as a game of chess, both coaches looking to provide solutions to problems and questions posed by the opposing managers. Simba’s game plan was controlled possession through the phases of possession to work towards carving out the opponent, while APR looked to make penetration between the lines by Simba as hard as possible, forcing them long and to win the second ball. From this, they (APR), could also knock the ball around as they looked towards creating isolated scenarios on the wings or dragging markers out for channel balls into the striker Taiba.In Pavel Ndzila, APR FC have a very good ball playing goalkeeper, with the ability to beat the opposition’s first line of pressure through penetration passes. Simba initially in the game looked to press in a 1-4-4-2 formation, with Ntibazonkiza and Chilunda marking the opposition center backs. This hurt Simba as by pushing their second line of pressure, it became easier for Ndzila to break the lines and play in Ruboneka between the lines..Another APR build up variation was to drop Niyibizi into the backline to create a 3v2 against Simba. This enabled APR to circulate the ball well through the backline and push Simba lower.This switch allowed APR FC to gain control in the game and resulted in the game’s first shot on target as neat interplay then good switch of play saw the APR left back Ishimwe get clean through on goal, seeing his cheeky shot saved at the near post.This attacking action was necessitated by having Niyibizi drop as stated above thus enabling the fullbacks to push higher up to create the overloads on the flanks.Simba looked to build up in a 1-2-2-3-2-1 shape early on, with Hussein and Kennedy being joined by Fabrice and Kanoute.APR stayed in a 1-4-1-4-1 midblock with exemplary sliding and compactness between the lines. They looked to press when Simba went wide and/or a midfielder dropped deep from high to aid in progression. This pressing led to Simba having to go long in the channels, inhibiting the influence Ntibazonkiza had on the game, as in build -up he looked to receive between the lines and dictate play from there.To counter the stubborn APR FC shape in the first half, Benchika saw his two wingers switch positions.In build up, he now emphasized patience, with Simba having majority of possession in their own half. Another tweak saw the ball side wingers drop inside to receive between the lines.With this action, they looked to drag their fullback inside with them, then the forwards Ntibazonkiza and Shaban would look to gravitate to the vacated space, and resulted in creation of quality chances by Ntibazonkiza.In the second half, Simba rung the changes bringing on big hitters Jean Baleke, Luis Miquissone and Onana. To completely suffocate any rhythm APR were to get into, Benchika switched his press to 1-4-3-2 going man for man, and forcing APR one side to aid Simba’s far winger to drop and aid in midfield.This with cover between the lines, ensured Ruboneka could not receive between the lines as he was covered, and the backline would also remain in shape, not needing to commit one and leave three. The maintaining of the backline in shape was key, as the Simba fullbacks had to be in position to deal with the livewire APR wingers, especially Mugisha, who has the quality to progressively carry the ball and beat his man.As Simba grew more into the game and pinned back APR, they invited more players forward, now ensuring the fullbacks always provided options in attack.Trucha reveals Ingwe transfer plans, pleads for more patience from team fanbaseThis created a good chance for them as a cross from the left back led to a header from Baleke in what was one of their best chances in the half.APR were managing to survive the Simba onslaught and nearly capitalized in transition when the Simba fullback was well advanced and they played in behind, a neat cutback and well weighted pass into Taiba saw him draw a spectacular save from goalkeeper Abel, a save that won him man of the match.The two sides lived up to the expectations, entertaining the fans with the quality on the pitch and also off the pitch by the two coaches, who had answers for every question posed.Both sides now progress to the quarter-finals with Simba facing Jamhuri, whilst APR have another proper encounter against Young Africans of Tanzania.
