The FKF Premier league served up a top of the table clash between Gor Mahia and tactically and technically efficient KCB FC.Coming into the match both teams had played 19 matches with Gor having a five-point lead over the bankers, a win would place either team in a very good position heading into the international break.KCB headed into the game with a very good goal ratio when it came to crosses and headers having scored 4 goals from headers from their last 6 goals in the league. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7114842##The bankers have scored goals from the same method of chance creation an underlap or overlap from the fullback, deep crosses to the half spaces and cutbacks. This is something keen Gor Mahia tactician Jonathan Mckinstry would have noted, the only handicap was that he was missing two cogs in his machine that would be comfortable in dealing with this type of attack, midfield dynamo Ernst Wendo and defensive lynchpin Joshua Onyango who were all missing due to accumulated suspensions.In this piece we look at how the two sides set up and looked to exploit each other’s systems, how Gor’s Dennis Ng’ang’a stepped up to put arguably one of the best defensive displays of the season.KCB set up in their favored 1-4-4-2 formation with emphasis on dynamic movement in the midfield and a resolute defense. Ex-FIFA assistant referee Aden Marwa opens up on match-fixing ban, slams Anas Aremeyaw AnasIn between the sticks was Byrne Omondi, who was recently recalled to the national team, Harambee Stars. The fullback positions were taken by Nashon Wekesa and Harun Mwale with the omission of inform Kevin Okumu at right back raising eye brows, he had assisted twice in the team’s last 5 games and was arguably the team’s main threat. Cheche challenges football stakeholders to improve sports infrastructureThe central defensive partnership was of another national team call up in Maurice Ojwang who partnered Nashon Nanyendo. In the midfield pivot was new recruit Apollo Otieno and the captain Michael Mutinda.On the flanks were John Mwangi and Musa Masika who coach Zedekiah Otieno had tasked with interesting roles, with Henry Onyango and club top scorer on 7 goals Kennedy Owino leading the line.Gor Mahia have been known to take the cautious approach when playing against the top teams in the league.Against KCB was no exception as Mckinstry approached the game in a 1-4-4-1-1 formation. In goal was Gad Mathews with Sydney Wakhongo and Ng’ang’a manning the central defence.Engin Firat delivers hard-hitting reality check on Kenyan footballThe fullback positions consisted of the consistent duo of Ochuoga Paul and Geoffrey Ochieng. In the absence of Ernst Wendo, John Ochieng and Alpha Onyango were trusted in the midfield with Boniface Omondi and Peter Lwasa out wide. Austin Odhiambo played off league top scorer Benson Omala.KCB did not look to press Gor Mahia high from the goalkeeper, they waited for the trigger of a pass played out wide to the fullback or wide centre back and then looked to jump and force the opposition to go long where they would look to win the aerial duels and second balls.The team, employed a 1-4-4-2 midblock, looking to deny Gor Mahia central penetration, what was interesting was that the wingers looked to invert and push the opponent wide then jump with fullback and ball near midfielder in pressing, using the touchline as an extra defender.In the buildup phase, KCB looked to put the ball playing of Bryne Omondi to play out from the back. The centre backs split and Apollo Otieno looked to drop between them and progress play.Mutinda in this phase would play centrally or look to drift wide and pick possession in the wide areas to avoid the tight man marking of Austin Odhiambo. Okumu on the scoresheet in Belgium as Wilkims warms bench in Koper’s win over Tabor SežanThe fullbacks pushed high and wide while, John Mwangi and Musa Masika were tasked with inverting and looking to play between the lines and drag markers from wide to enable space for the fullbacks to cross from deep and also create uncertainty among the Gor Mahia defenders and midfielders on who to mark.With Mutinda dropping wide this was the trigger for one of the offensive players to slot in midfield and look to progress play done well by Mwangi and Owino . Masika was the main creative hub in attack and in him KCB have a very special player. He was relentless in his pursuit of beating his man 1v1 as he could beat them on the inside or outside , his ability to strike the ball cleanly was very commendable too, he profiles like a creative number 10 with good 1v1 qualities.Gor Mahia were very compact defensively but struggled in picking up markers in the midfield, due to the dynamic movement of the KCB players. They looked to press in a 1-4-4-1-1 shape with Omala pressing the centre backs and Odhiambo marking the opposition deep playmaker. The selection of Peter Lwasa out wide was the main ace up the sleeve of Mckinstry as he would work as the wide playmaker, also with his pace he could hit the byline well and cutbacks. Nzoia duo delights in national team call-upsLwasa looked to combine well with Odhiambo who was a menace between the lines, proving to be a major thorn in KCBs flesh with his technical ability. Star player Omala was tightly marshalled by the KCB defense as they watched his boxmovements well and not giving him a sniff in the box. The main take away from the game however was how good Gor Mahia defender Ng’ang’a was in the game. Having being snubbed from a national team call up, much to the awe of many football enthusiasts in the country , he came up big for Gor Mahia in this game. His calmness and composure on the ball was on show. Ng’ang’a was the technical leader in defense and a special talent with qualities that are translatable at the highest level of the game. The left footed center back has the impeccable passingangles and possesses the ideal balance of circulatory and progressive passing. Gor Mahia’s desperate talks with former Mali goalkeeper Adama Keita hit a snagHe was on point aerially given the prowess KCB exhibit in this area. What made Dennis so good or rather what makes him so good is how he uses his mobile but physically robust frame as he rarely dives into tackles.His calm temperament, physical and technical qualities make him a technical and defensive leader. In this KCB game his quality enabled Gor Mahia to play their technical game further up the pitch.As much as the spoils were shared in this affair, Ng’ang’a clearly stepped up and showed why he is one of the best defenders in the league. Gor Mahia will be happy with the point and the five- point cushion as they now push for more stability.
