In what was a prequel to the Mozzart Bet Cup quarter finals between the two sides. Sofapaka met Ulinzi Stars in a round of 24 FKF Premier League match at the Police Pavilion stadium.In this piece look at how both teams set up in the encounter and how both tacticians looked to provide solutions to questions asked by the other.Recent FormUlinzi Stars sat 10th on the log having not won a league match in their last five, the only notable result, a 1-2 win over bitter rivals Kenya Police FC in the Mozzart Bet Cup. This was, however, followed by a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Bandari in Mbaraki, Mombasa.Sofapaka approached the match in good form having won two, drawn as many and lost one in their last 5 games.Tactical Masterclass: How Francis Baraza’s backup plan led Kenya Police FC to a 4-2 victory against Nairobi City StarsTeam StructureUlinzi Stars set up in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation which would fluctuate into a 1-4-4-2 formation with teenage stalwart Ricks Omondi in goal.Experienced duo of Brian Birgen and Omar Mbongi were tasked with defending duties out on the flanks with Coach Bernard Mwalala opting for Boniface Andayi and Muchika Bonventure in the central defense positions.In midfield the duo of Bernard Ongoma and Issa Lumumba formed the double pivot with Staphod Odhiambo in advanced midfield. The offensive players were Boniface Muchiri, Stephen Etyang with Hillary Simiyu leading the line.Sofapaka set up in a 1-4-3-3 shape with an attacking midfielder. Between the posts was Simon Masaka, Tyson Omondi and Kevin Maliachi were tasked with defending the flanks while David Shirimana and Stephen Okola were the center backs.Stephen Okal, Ben Stanley Omondi and Sydney Ikhekai were the midfielders while the front three consisted of Roddy Manga, Jacob Panoam and Munala Simon.⚽A goal🅰️An assist🗞️An assist and goal to his name today Evand Makari Maliachi was outstanding this afternoon.🎖️For this efforts he is our Batoto Ba Mungu man of the match against Ulinzi Stars FC@OyandoRonny#BatotoBaMungu pic.twitter.com/otFTY3vRvI— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) April 13, 2023 Styles of PlayIn the Ulinzi build up phase, Sofapaka FC looked to drop deep and form a 1-4-4-2 midblock. with this mid-block the team blocked central progression forcing Ulinzi wide.The soldiers looked to circulate the ball deep with Ongoma or Lumumba dropping between the center backs to form a three at the back, this action would cause the fullbacks to push high up while the Ulinzi wingers inverted or moved wide and let the fullback invert.Sofapaka looked to let Ulinzi Stars play the long ball as they did not have the pace in behind the channels, they chose to stay deep and defend tight with the man. In Muchika, Ulinzi Stars have a very good diagonal ball playing center back and with Sofapaka playing deep he had enough time to scan the area and look to release Etyang in the wide areas.As Sofapaka built up, Ulinzi Stars looked to step up and press high, the military side pressed in a 1-4-4-2 formation with Staphod joining Hillary up, the wingers inverting and fullbacks pushing up, this heavily stifled the Sofapaka build up phase as goalkeeper Masaka hoofed the ball up field for the team to battle out for the second balls up the field.Sofapaka looked to place bodies between the Ulinzi lines and look to pick up good positions on second balls.Ugandan keeper Benjamin Ochan seeks out of court settlement with AFC LeopardsIn the progressions phase, both teams looked to heavily use the wide channels, in Muchiri and Etyang Ulinzi have world beaters and they looked to constantly supply their wide men with the ball, Etyang was the main outlet on the right with quick balls in behind and his 1v1 threat kept the fans on their feet, his pin point crosses also caused numerous problems for the Sofapaka backline.In Muchiri, Ulinzi looked to create overloads when he was on the ball, decoy runs and wall passes were the order of the day to look to create space for Muchiri to have a crack at goal.Ulinzi with the wide overloads created looked to also have Simiyu drop deep to progress play while Staphod played off him to counter this Sofapaka looked to be very compact between the last two lines of defense, they looked to close down early to deny any clear shots at their box.Sofapaka were finding it hard to cope with the tough Ulinzi defense line and thus decided to play for set pieces and given the tough weather conditions that had made the ball rather slippery the team looked to hit direct and hard free kicks, in Evans Maliachi they had a player who was able to whip in good crosses with his gem of a left foot and this troubled the Ulinzi backline and goalkeeper heavily.Ulinzi Stars conceded from two set-piece situations and a direct free kick that was deflected and a whipped in cross that was tapped in. Sofapaka however could not capitalize on their chances, even having a missed penalty that could have seen them on the ascendancy.##NAJAVA_MECA_7179041##The Stephen Etyang ShowEtyang turned on the style in this game, the diminutive forward was a livewire from the onset, terrorizing Sofapaka fullback Maliachi with step-overs and direct dribbling too.He looked to isolate himself with his man, he would then pull of something from his magic hat of tricks and was quickly past his marker, he would then look to whip in pin point crosses and with late runners on the box who would attack the ball well.Etyang also offered the dynamic and possibilities of a short corner with his ability to loft in a good cross ball. His scintillating display saw the player get two assists in this game and were it not for the lack of sharpness in finishing of the Ulinzi forwards and the offside flag he could have easily had 4 or 5 assists in the game.This was a game that both teams will feel like they should have won but a draw is a fair result for both teams who can now look to push in the remaining 10 league games to attain their season target.From the tactical questions and solutions provided by each manager, the quarter final of the Mozzart Bet Cup between the two sides looks like a firecracker already when the two teams lock horns on the 29th of April at the same venue.
