Nakuru Bucks managed to secure a slot in FKF Division 1 with a statement win in the final of the play off mini-league thrashing Ichuni Combined 6 -1 Moi stadium, Kisumu last week. Their remarkable performance in the play-offs capped off a well fought and victorious FKF Div II Zone B campaign. Under the tutelage of Peter Wekesa, the team won fourteen times, drew once and lost thrice.In this piece we decode the team tactical culture and various in possession patterns used. Throughout the season Coach Peter Wekesa predominantly employed a 1-4-3-2-1. Timothy Rashid was the preferred first choice goalkeeper with the center back pairing of Amaton Samunya and Samuel Miheso providing solidity and stability in the rest defense. Brian Maranga operated as the left back while Elisha Nallanya manned the right back position.The midfield double pivot was made of former Nakuru Allstars deep-lying playmaker John Njoroge who partnered with the hardworking Wayne Odhiambo who gave the team proper balance and the cheeky Hassan Abdullahi, the captain, playing in the traditional number 10 role. Occupying the right wing was the skillful Kelvin Asirikwa with Enock Omosa as the left winger. The powerful Jacob Wanyama was the main man on matters goal hunting.##NAJAVA_MECA_7365509##Peter Wekesa’s men lay emphasis on the use the wide channels to attack from the full backs to the wingers. This approach allowed them to exploit the spaces on the flanks and create opportunities for crosses and overlapping runs either from Brian Maranga or Abdullahi Hassan. When they regained possession they looked to initiate quick transitions from defense to attack as the team boasts of having fast paced players within their ranks. Muki reveals how he surprisingly signed for Bandari within 2 hoursIn PossessionNakuru Buck’s center backs looked to split wide providing options for Timothy Rashid to start the goal kicks short who in turn played vertical passes to their lone striker with an aim of building form settled play. John Njoroge’s anticipation and positioning played a huge role in Nakuru Bucks success as he looked to win majority of the second balls through good positioning. After winning the second ball John Njoroge would play long balls into the channels where they thrived due to their speed and individual brilliance of their wingers. The wingers looked to run at defenders trying either to cut in or holding the width before looking to wing in crosses.An aspect of their game that is well polished. Brian Maranga looked to join the attack, making Elisha Nallanya to tuck into the defense then the team formation morphed into a 1-3-3-3-1. This looked to generate positional superiorities for the Nakuru based side. Out of possession Without the ball Nakuru Bucks looked to play 1-4-4-2 high press formation with the striker in between the oppositions center backs. The second striker looked to angle his press to the side with the main of of forcing the opposition to go long. Noting that they could win the first and second balls well due to their aerial superiority they have. When they get the press and force a turnover in possesion they would look to make quick short passes into the oppositions box. In some instances when they pressed without synergy they were caught out with one pass beating up to 5 of their players. This left Wayne Odhiambo in isolation in the midfield hence exposing the defense. An area they will need to work on.Bucks now make Nakuru teams three in the country’s third tier league as they join GDC and St. Joseph Youth. With the teams verticality, we can look forward to a fast paced style of football characterized by direct play, speed and athleticism.
