In the highly billed, now termed as the Ingo Derby, Mozzart Bet Cup semifinal on Saturday, Kakamega Homeboyz came up against AFC Leopards in what was set to be a grudge match. The two teams have been building up a rivalry that promises to propel the Kenyan game to great heights and this encounter did not fail.With the match ending in a 2-1 win for the Kakamega Homeboyz. In this piece we set to look at how their defensive structure rendered the dangerous AFC Leopards vertical approach blunt.AFC Leopards tend to lay major emphasis on using central zones of the pitch to maximize how efficient they are in buildup; this is thanks to the high technical security they possess in their midfield, through players like Musa Oundo, Eugene Mukangula, Brian Wanyama and Giovanni Lukhumwa. Their midfield helps in moving to break the opposition lines of pressure and create numerical superiority in the phases of play.In this match, Kakamega Homeboyz had a very precise approach; a plan to create cover shadows so the central defenders and AFC Leopards central midfielder could not initiate the possession progression phase. Kakamega Homeboyz implemented a 1-4-2-4 structure in AFC Leopards defensive third, In order to cut vertical passing angles and options for the AFC Leopards ball carrier. In the match, we could often see one of the two Kakamega Homeboyz midfielders relocate and move high to provide pressure on the ball carrier (action that led to their first goal). This action left the wingers Kevin Amwayi and Felicien Okanda to jump as soon as the ball went wide to the fullbacks. The front two of Ambrose Sifuna and Moses Shumah were key in this role as they looked to stifle the AFC Leopards build up through endless movement in the block. The pace with which they closed down Kaycie Odhiambo and Washington Munene and Lewis Bandi forced the AFC Leopards defenders into errors early on, leaving them needing to hit long balls into Ojo Olaniyi who would have to be aerially dominant against Robinson Kamura. Kakamega Homeboyz counter pressing structure, especially in instances where AFC Leopards managed central penetration, was key in this match too as it denied any rhythm from the AFC Leopards in settled play. This counter pressing( funnel structure) ensured high density in tight zones to recover the ball but this approach also worked against Homeboyz as it exposed their defense to wide runs from the AFC Leopards wingers. With Jaffari Owiti and Cliff Nyakeya getting isolated 1v1 possibilities as the game wore on.Kakamega Homeboyz had analyzed well AFC Leopards off the ball, rest defense structure (3-1) and a (2-2) structure occurring when Lewis Bandi would invert, This would ensure they looked to target the space in behind AFC Leopards Peter Thion’go, on winning the ball back they would look to go direct into the right hand side with neat balls in behind. With Peter Thion’go majorly put of position they would look to work with a runner in behind. This is how they got their two goals in the game. Winning the ball back and targeting the spaces in behind.##NAJAVA_MECA_7277174##AFC Leopards counter pressing was too dangerous and it heavily jeopardized their defensive structure. This majorly due to the fact that they underestimated the level of Eston Esiye and Hillary ‘Seba‘ Otieno on the ball, this coupled up with the relentless running of Moses Shumah and Ambrose Sifuna exposed AFC Leopards backline. Kakamega Homeboyz double pivot had been prepped well by Coach Patrick Odhiambo, working on close distances between the two and Estone Esiye being keen enough when Ojo Olaniyi or an advanced Mukangula would detach from the backline. Homeboyz using the runs in right hand side. AFC Leopards caught out on transition. This led to first goalKakamega Homeboyz back 4 defensive discipline was top notch in this affair, Their tactical discipline ensured no AFC Leopards player was left unmarked majorly when they tried to overload or match up the last lines of defense. Their defensive alignment was coordinated and efficient.It was strange to see AFC Leopards still looking to force vertical passes when the best option they had, especially with Cliff Nyakeya on, was to take advantage of the wide channels and lanes, noting they have 1v1 strengths. Kakamega Homeboyz Counter Press that resulted in the second goal. Crowding out the ball carrierIn conclusion, Kakamega Homeboyz implemented a proper block, AFC Leopards had no passing angles available. Their ability to maintain a solid structure and a strong counter press with their set triggers won the day, and they truly deserved the 1-2 win. Musa Oundo: The glue holding AFC Leopards’ midfield
