The Kenya national team, Harambee Stars battled to a 3-3 draw with The Gambia and with plenty of talking points, Mozzart Sport takes a look at six lessons learned from the match.No need for three CDMsMcCarthy shockingly named three central defensive midfielders (CDMs) to his starting eleven: Antony Akumu, Richard Odada and Ismael Gonzalez all started the match.With that, the coach confirmed Gambia’s tactician Jonathan McKinstry’s observation that Kenya generally plays a defensive team in the national team.Tactical Analysis : How Benni McCarthy’s substitutions transformed Harambee Stars against The GambiaStarting the trio meant Kenya did not have a creative player on the pitch, and therefore depended on long balls to Olunga to score. This strategy failed ab initio.More disappointing was the fact that Harambee Stars failed to control the game and lost possession easily despite the trio being on the pitch. If Kenya is to win matches, McCarthy must stop playing with three CDMs. A maximum of two is enough.##NAJAVA_MECA_8796810##McCarthy’s bold substitutions workedAfter a disappointing first half, McCarthy boldly withdrew Gonzalez for Wilson Lenkupae at half time. and later brought on Jonah Ayunga and Mohamed Bajaber for John Avire and Eric Johana.The three were all involved in all three goals scored by Kenya.It was Ayunga who won the penalty that Olunga converted, while Bajaber and Lenkupae got on the score sheet themselves. Substitutions have been one of the key areas Harambee Stars performed dismally in previous years, and McCarthy may just be the man to utilize his bench well.Good fighting spiritHarambee Stars are not known for their fighting spirit especially when they go behind. It was admirable to see how the team fought hard first, to overturn a two-goal deficit, and even after going behind again, they still had the will to fight and equalize in the last minute of the match.You will be a fool to give up: McCarthy speaks on Kenya’s World Cup chances after draw against The GambiaBajaber and Ayunga need more playing timeThe duo of Bajaber and Ayunga changed the game for Kenya without a doubt. The two did not only score goals, but also brought some life in the otherwise ineffective forward line.Bajaber reveals how individual training bore wonder goal in Harambee Stars debutBajaber brought on the creativity, courage and ability to dribble and take on defenders, solving what Kenya lacked prior to his introduction.Ayunga, on the other hand, provided the much needed support for Olunga, and brought more headache to The Gambia defense. His ability to hold the ball and link up play, coupled with his physical strength, contributed to the away point.Poor central defenseThe central defense partnership of Brian Mandela and Daniel Anyembe left a lot to be desired.The duo looked shaky with every attack that came Gambia’s way, and found it hard or impossible to handle Musa Barrow in The Gambian attack.If McCarthy is to be successful at Harambee Stars, he must work on building a solid defense.##NAJAVA_MECA_8796827##Field players in their natural positionsOne of the bad characteristics of Harambee Stars is that players are always played out of their natural positions.Once again, that was the case on Thursday night, especially in attack.Harambee Stars hold Gambia in six-goal thrillerJohn Avire and Eric Johana were played as wingers despite that not being their natural position.Avire is a striker while Johana’s preferred position is just behind the striker. The two struggled to play as wingers and made it easy for The Gambia full backs to not only defend, but also contribute to attack on the overlap.Harambee Stars, who are fourth in the group, will be back in action on Sunday 23 March with a home match against group leaders Gabon. The match will be staged at the Nyayo National Stadium from 1600 hrs.
