Kenya Police FC have not tasted defeat in seven FKF Premier league matches, leaving them sitting fourth on the log.The side has grown in strength as the season has progressed, this, boiling down to the strength in personnel. The quality in their ranks is top notch.However, Kenya Police FC tactician Francis Baraza has developed a proper system, one that has brought the best out of the team.Kenya Police FC play in a staggered 1-4-4-2 formation, with profiles that understand and fit in well with the role required. There has been rotation in goal between Patrick Matasi and Job Ochieng.From missing ugali to earning promotion, Omurwa speaks on his momentous season in PortugalThe stable center back duo of David Ochieng and Musa Mohammed has been the go-to pairing at the back. Aboud Omar and Baraka Badi occupy the fullback positions. In midfield are Charles Ouma and Marvin Nabwire.Experienced internationals Clifton Miheso and Francis Kahata occupy the flanks while Elvis Rupia is the target man with Duke Abuya playing just off him. Manager Baraza is blessed with quality in his ranks. The tactician has found a way to play around his top players in David, Rupia and Ouma, players that form the spine of his team.Not forgetting the creative nous of Abuya and Kahata. In this piece we decode the system that has been applied at the Police Sacco Stadium-based side and why, next season they could be a force to reckon with.Police FC’s play revolves heavily around Abuya and Ouma, who act as playmakers behind and in front of the midfield. Abuya is the creative 10 while Ouma acts as the deep lying midfielder.Opposition that come up against Abuya have had to treat him as a second striker and a midfielder at different times in the game, he shifts the game dynamics at will, causing chaos and disruption among opposition defenders.Police FC have looked to create control in their approaches, taking the game by the scruff of its neck. They do not give the opponent any superiority be it qualitatively, quantitatively or positional.##NAJAVA_MECA_7324652##The balance in this team, especially in midfield is brought about by one Nabwire. The former AFC Leopards man is the glue that makes attack and defense link. He does most of the vertical work in the team, linking defense with midfield and midfield with attack.His aggression in duels and intelligent runs into space are key in almost all phases of play. Coach Baraza has his side’s wingers, Miheso and Kahata playing inverted roles.They are hardly hugging the touchline at all. Their inverted role, especially that of Kahata has seen them control games even better, through quantitative superiority in the middle of the pack.Miheso gives them the edge in the wide 1v1 positioning especially in the wide areas. He can act as an outlet on transition, an inverted offensive player or a half space threat.Kahata is, however, used in a more functional role, especially in buildup. Kenya Police FC look to drop him lower, he can come and act as a part of the double pivot they employ in the buildup phase.His scanning is top notch and he has good weight on a pass. In games where teams will look to man mark the first phase midfielder of Police FC, Kahata has stepped up as a critical outlet. He looks to shield the designated first phase midfielder from the press.Out of possession, Kahata and Miheso look to keep narrow; they are able to provide double teams on opposition offensive players. Their dedication to this out of possession structure is commendable, kudos to coach Baraza, it is not common for such creative players to be that resolute in defense.The central compactness with Ouma screening the center backs has seen Police FC concede only nineteen goals. Only KCB (17) and Gor Mahia (18) have conceded less.In the buildup phase, Police FC have quality center backs who are very comfortable on the ball. Ouma looks to drop between the center backs, the center backs split each side of the goalkeeper.Nabwire plays behind the first line of pressure, with proper positioning to work as an option. In instances where teams man mark Ouma, Kahata drops deep to act as the link player as stated above.In the creation and finishing phase. Police FC have a clear pattern of wide overloads and intelligent runs in the box. A majority of their goals come from good combination play on the flanks and letting crosses in to locate the lethal Rupia, the main man has 22 goals.His penalty box movement is second to none, his aerial prowess there for all to see. He has very good ball striking and can drift wide to destabilize opposition defenses. A complete center forward.The Police FC system has clearly set them as part of the big boys in the league. They are a formidable side and with proper investment in the playing and coaching department, theirs is a space to watch.
