‘Trust the process’ is a very contentious topic in the footballing circles. Football team administrations and fans differ heavily when it comes to this term with some wanting quick returns for their heavy investment while others choosing to find solace in the guarantee of long term success.Kenya Police FC administrators decided to go big in the past few transfer markets, getting the crème of the lot when it comes to top footballers in the country. The deep pocketed side has earned nicknames like “Police St. Germain” due to their financial muscle being compared to French giants Paris St. Germain and the nickname “CHAN FC” stating that the team could easily form the national team for local based players.After winning the Elite Pre-season cup, Kenya Police FC were touted as outright favorites to win the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) and consequently represent the country in the prestigious CAF Champions League. The league however did not start off well with the team losing to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) FC and Kakamega Homeboyz FC, this led to the sacking of Head Coach Sammy ’Pamzo’ Omollo which raised eyebrows as to how quickly he had fallen out of favor with the brass of the club. The club administrators quickly moved to acquire the services of Francis Baraza, an experienced tactician who had won the league in 2006 with Sony Sugar and was fresh off a stint in Tanzania with Biashara UnitedUnder Francis Baraza, Kenya Police FC have weeded out some structural flaws that were letting the team down and from 14th position the team now sits in 4th position and playing some really good football.Police set-up in a 4-2-3-1 shape with a double pivot of Marvin Nabwire and Pattilah Omotto and a centre back pairing of experienced Musa Mohammed and Harun Shakava. In their build up phase Baraza’s fullbacks, majorly David “Messi” Owino and Erick Juma look to push up and wide while the wingers invert. Duke Abuya, the key player in the team operates well in the half spaces and between the lines with the team’s top scorer Elvis Rupia leading the line.Inside the Bosongo Derby: A tactical breakdown of Shabana’s narrow loss to Gusii FC##NAJAVA_MECA_7041449##Out of possession Police FC transition into a 4-4-1-1 with Rupia pressing the opposition centre backs while Duke Abuya looks to man mark the opposition deep playmaker. Under Francis Baraza, the Police build up shape is well spaced and across the park the players do not operate in isolation, there is heavy emphasis on combination play in the side. This deviation from the initial build up structure of 4-1 or 3-1 to a 3-2 shape has made Police FC exert more control in games and the intelligent positioning of Marvin Nabwire who can drop off to cover advancing fullbacks is a joy to watch.Patillah Omotto is tasked with playing the team out the first phase of play with Abuya and even Francis Kahata dropping centrally to add numbers into the midfield. The consequences of this jointed structure and close distances is that the team is now able to build up play with the truly special players on the pitch. Imagine having to high press against Musa Mohammed, Patillah Omotto, Francis Kahata, Duke Abuya and the other Police galacticos!Under Francis Baraza, Police has managed to score 23 goals, only failing to find the back of the net in two matches. The team has also registred some impressive results – a 3-0 win over Tusker FC, blew away Wazito FC and Mathare United with 4-0 and 5-0 score lines respectively.The offensive area has been sharpened well and the introduction of the predatory Elvis ’Machapo’ Rupia into the attacking line has yielded fruits with the striker netting 11 goals and being a nailed on starter.
