Harambee Stars significantly boosted their hopes of winning the Mapinduzi Cup following a 2-0 win over Tanzania Mainland in a game that came to life in the second half.Both teams sought to get a positive result and this game could have taken either one of them closer to the all-important Mapinduzi Cup final as it promised to be an interesting encounter between the two neighbouring countries.In this tactical analysis piece, we will have a look at how both teams manifested themselves in this game as Kenya emerged 2-0 victors.Gor Mahia to use new stadium for home matchesWe majorly look at how coach Francis Kimanzi’s charges lit up the second half to emerge victorious.Tanzania set up in a 4-2-3-1 formationMetacha Mnata in goal, Nickson Mosha, Edson Katanga, Lameck Lawi and Pascal Msindo formed the defense line.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619906##Sospter Bajana and Charles Semfuko were the double pivot as the attacking trio behind striker Crispin Ngushi were Iddi Selemani, Ayubu Lyanga and Offen Chikola.With Gor Mahia players back in the Harambee Stars squad after a detour from camp to honour a club exhibition match. Kenya’s coach Francis Kimanzi rang the changes,Byrne Omondi retained his position in goal. Daniel Sakari, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino and Aboud Omar formed the backline. Gor’s Omija and Owino are preferred in the centre-back role.Debut goals from Ogam, Muchiri propel Harambee Stars past TanzaniaChrispine Erambo, Brian Musa and Austin Odhiambo formed the midfield trio.Boniface Muchiri, Darius Msagha and Ryan Ogam led the line in the hunt for goals.Kimanzi set out in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Austin Odhiambo playing behind Ryan Ogam.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619921##Tanzania had not beaten Kenya in open play since 2012 but had edged Harambee Stars in 2019 on post-match penalties in a CHAN qualifier.Kenya remained in the 4-4-1-1 formation throughout the game. The introduction of Michael Mutinda, Rooney Onyango and James Kinyanjui did not affect the formation.Tanzania did make a change, however, switching to a 4-1-4-1 after Hijja Shamte came on.Tanzanian club seeks refund from Gor Mahia over aborted defender transferKenya wanted to establish themselves with an attacking style of play. In attack, they set up in a 4-3-3.Harambee Stars looked to get the ball into the box, laying an emphasis on wide overloads from the fullbacks and wingers.Francis Kimanzi’s charges started their attack with the centre-backs who played out using the midfielders or the full-backs who made runs down the line.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619910##In a 2-1 build-up shape, Brian Musa was the designated first-phase playmaker, with Austin and Erambo on either side of him. The wingers would operate in the half-spaces as the fullbacks pushed higher up to support as Kenya found joy out wide.A recurring theme throughout the match was Kenya getting the ball out wide before crossing or the winger coming inside in most instances being Boniface Muchiri.Kenya knew that Tanzania Mainland would most likely defend narrow and with this, the wide areas tended to be uncontested.McDonald Mariga, Victor Wanyama identify key ingredient for growth of Kenyan footballHowever, Tanzania seemed ready for the Kenyan wing game. The Tanzania wingers Offen Chikola and Iddi Selemani would act as auxiliary full-backs when Kenya had the ball in wide areas.The only demerit was that Tanzania wingers were usually positioned more centrally than traditional full-backs. This positioning allowed some gaps to appear out wide which was an invitation the Kenya’s wide players gladly accepted.Tanzania, however, for a while, managed to hold their own early on in the match, winning the first and second balls, up until lapses in concentration as the match wore on.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619943##When a Tanzanian defender managed to tackle or intercept the ball, there was usually little effort to counter-attack. They preferred to clear the ball or play long, attempting to exploit the space behind Kenya’s advanced fullbacks.The joy out wide came to the fore when a good interchange between Erambo and Musa found right-back Daniel Sakari free who delivered a pin point cross to find Muchiri in the box.The Ulinzi Stars winger’s first attempt was blocked but on the second bite at the cherry, his attempt managed to ripple the back of the net.Kasarani, Nyayo Stadia progress 24 days to hosting of CHAN [PHOTOS]This pattern had also created a decent chance for Kenya in the first half with Sakari finding Ogam who failed to convert.Kenya out of possessionKenya’s primary pressing triggers were when a Tanzanian player took a heavy touch, when they received the ball back to goal and played a backpass or when they tried to advance out of their own half.When one of these happened Kenya would close down the player on the ball with intensity, either forcing a turnover in possession or forcing the Tanzanian player to play long.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619957##These trigger moments saw Ryan Ogam pounce on a short back pass to slot home Kenya’s second goal and all but secure the three points.After a prosperous pressing attempt, Kenya looked to fall back and resort to low-block defending. They were similarly successful in these tactics as Tanzania’s attacking strategies often failed to penetrate the compact low block.Tanzania would attempt attacks via progression from the back through the wide areas where the winger would receive the ball and attempt to cross or play a ground pass between or around Kenya’s defensive block.Financial crisis threatens Pitso Mosimane’s stay at Masoud Juma’s EsteghlalKenya’s low block structure was, however, well organized in swarming Tanzania attackers who moved inside the block and prevented scoring chances.Harambee Stars ultimately pulled out a 2-0 victory. The versatile wing play tactics paired with the opposition’s defensive errors paved the way for the goals.##NAJAVA_MECA_8619968##Kenya now have four points and stands a good chance to progress into the final heading into their last group game against Zanzibar.Tanzania, meanwhile will be disappointed, having scored no goal in the tournament so far. The coach will look to at least bow out with class against Burkina Faso.
