Kenya Police FC came up against “Simba Wa Nairobi” Nairobi City Stars in an FKF Premier League encounter at the new Police Sacco Stadium in South C, Nairobi.In this piece we will look at how tactician Francis Baraza attacked the match and how the top tactician showed why it is essential to always have a backup plan, an ace up your sleeve.In a match played at the Police Pavilion stadium in South C Nairobi, the star studded Kenya Police FC stepped out in their red kit to look to push league front runners for the FKF Premier League title, a title they heavily covet.Team structureCoach Francis Baraza set his side out in an initial 1:3:5:2 formation with emphasis on creation of quantitative and qualitative superiority as his team has come to be well known for. In goal was Job Ochieng while the three centre backs consisted of the heavily experienced trio of Harun Shakava, David “Cheche” Owino and Aboud Omar,who was showing his versatility in the squad as he can play as a left winger and left back. In the midfield there was the double pivot of Charles Ouma and Marvin Nabwire with Duke Abuya playing between the lines in the advanced role. The twin striking partnership consisted of Derrick Otanga and David Simiyu with Alvin Mange’ni and David Okoth tasked with providing width for the side in the wing back positions.Back Three Police serve City Stars bitter football lessons to jump into top fiveWhile employing a back three formation with very attack minded and aggressive wingbacks it initially showed the intent Kenya Police Fc had in this match, to step on the gas and be relentless, this coupled with the use of an offside trap saw the team look to assert their authority In the game. The use of the 1-3-5-2 formation enabled the team to create overloads in the Nairobi City Stars last line of defense by either using David Simiyu or Derrick Otanga to pin the opposition defense back or use one of the front two to drop deeper and look to create possibilities of an overload between the lines.
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The main undoing of Kenya Police FC using a three at the back formation was the wide channels, with the use of very attacking players as wing backs and centre backs who age has caught up with, there was always going to be a threat in behind, noting too that this season goalkeeper Job Ochieng had not been the most convincing when coming out to act as a sweeper keeper. It is his foul that led to the resulting penalty goal by the Nairobi City Stars after he committed a foul.Switch to a back four, quality from the bench and the air of experienceAt halftime, tinkering tactician Francis Baraza hooked off David Simiyu, who was guilty of missing open chances at goal and brought on Clifton Miheso, he also brought off Alvin Mang’eni for Erick Juma and David Okoth for man in form and club top scorer Elvis Rupia whose omission had raised eyebrows.##NAJAVA_MECA_7172028##This substitutions came with a change in structure as Kenya Police FC now looked to play in an orthodox 1-4-4-2 formation with emphasis on going back to basics and looking for comfortable ball circulation to create openings with the principles of creation of possibilities to overload and isolate,aspects that are key still key in their progression and creation phase.The tactical change saw David Ochieng and Harun Shakava marshall the defense with Aboud Omar now moving to the left flank, on the right was Erick “Omoreh” Juma . The midfield pivot remained the same, orchestrated by Marvin Nabwire and Charles Ouma, in the wide areas there was Clifton Miheso who was tasked with being the major 1v1 outlet as the team looked to create possibilities of isolation for him to face his man and look to invert. On the left side was Duke Abuya who was to act as the wide playmaker while the front two now consisted of Derrick Otanga and Elvis Rupia.This tactical change saw Kenya Police FC now turn on the style as Elvis Rupia and Clifton Miheso were men on form and with a mission to impress their gaffer. With Elvis Rupia hunting down top scorer Benson Omala, the main man got two goals to help his cause while Clifton Miheso also was on the scoreboard with a sumptuous finish.The return to the 1-4-4-2 formation saw Kenya Police FC retain a level of control and solidity , the team could now move the ball out confidently and string a passes as they progressed forward, with a set rest defense structure the team could now push to play more on the front foot. The inverting of Duke Abuya caused Nairobi City Stars some problems as his technical security and eye for a pass was an evident threat throughout the match.The twin striking partnership of Derrick Otanga and Elvis Rupia was also positive as they switched roles and looked to press from high. This will be something Coach Francis Baraza will clearly look to work on and push more to form a fruitful partnership.In this game, Coach Francis Baraza had a good back up plan and his tactical flexibility enabled the law enforcers to emerge resounding 4-2 winners.
