Heading into the last two games of the FKF Division 1 Zone A 2022/2023 season, Nairobi United were three points behind Young Bulls FC in the race for a promotion play-off match.Young Bulls FC met 3K FC while Nairobi United came up against Kibera Soccer FC.In this post-match tactical analysis piece, we look at how Nairobi United set up in their 5-1 drubbing of an under par Kibera Soccer.Nairobi United FC, led by coach Paul Okatwa set-up in a 1-4-3-3 formation, in goal was Maneno Chacha. Jim Ouma and Markmillan Mugani occupied the fullback positions while Andrew Isaack and Boniface Ontere were the centre back pairing.##NAJAVA_MECA_7383637##The midfield trio had Bernard Ouma at the base of the trio, with Rodgers Angal and Elson Wangamati playing as the advanced 8s. Charo Majaliwa was on the left wing with Ian Motanda the right winger. Isaac Omweri led the line.Kibera Soccer also set up in the 1-4-3-3 formation, Kevin Mwagona was in between the sticks, Chris Okoth and the lanky Lam Wickier were the centre back partnership preferred on the day by coach David Bujego.Erick Olago and the marauding Peter Njenga were the fullback picks. The midfield three consisted of Brian Eronne, Ali Abdul and Elvis Lihanda. In attack Javan Mukoye and Anthony Ngethe flanked Dickson Karanja, who got the solitary goal for his side.In the buildup phase, the Nairobi United centre backs spread out either side of Maneno Chacha, this action let the fullbacks to move wide, providing the width in this first phase of play.
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This structure was mainly aimed at stretching the Kibera United structure so they ( Nairobi United) could get to play in the central spaces, especially with getting Bernard Ouma and Rodgers Angal on the ball.Rodgers however majorly stayed higher up leaving Bernard Ouma to drop and look to aid in progression of play form the defense and instigate the progression phase.The Nairobi United wingers who are their main threat looked to make movements that would allow them to receive the ball in optimal positions to attack the opposition box. Isaac Omueri mainly looked to pin the opposition defenders back in this phase, also making movements to play off their shoulder.In the progression phase, Elson Wangamati and Rodgers Angal had very interesting roles as the advanced midfielders, they looked to overload Kibera Soccer’s Brian Eronne by drifting in between the lines and readily drifting wide to act as the third man on combination play between the fullback and wingers, especially on the right side.Gor Mahia sign Sofapaka keeper amidst Gad Mathews departure talksThese in possession triangles and variations, especially in the midfield proved a bit tough for Kibera Soccer to handle, with the numerous superiorities Nairobi United created it was key for Kibera Soccer to look to be aggressive in their press to prevent any sort of rhythm Nairobi United looked to generate but they came up rather short in this aspect.The above mentioned overloading of central and wide areas worked well for Nairobi United, getting early goals predominantly from the wide area, Ian Mutanda and right central midfielder Rodgers Angal were all on the score sheet with the former also bagging an assist.This highlighted how important the right side superiority was to the Nairobi United chances in this game.Omurwa excited ahead of his Portuguese top tier bowTo counter the control that Nairobi United had asserted on the match, Kibera Soccer looked to ring some structural changes. Their striker Dickson Karanja was majorly isolated against the Nairobi United centre backs, this ensured they needed more people in and around their centre forward.To sort this left back Peter Njenga was encouraged to act as the attacking outlet on the left side with Anthony Ngethe now drifting inside to operate in the left halfspace.To counter the overload on Brian Eronne, Elvis Lihanda looked to now drop and act as the double pivot, this to provide a passing when Brian Eronne was cover shadowed in their build up phase and to also counter the central overload that was giving Nairobi United so much joy in their creation phase.FKF reveal plans to build a 638 million technical centre in Machakos funded by FIFAThe changes looked to give Kibera soccer some strength in their attack, as they now posed a threat. The alternating of their build up shape to form a 2-4-4 helped draw out Nairobi United and they could then play balls into the channel for their wide attackers or the run in behind of Isaac Omweri.Out of possession Nairobi United looked to press in a 1-4-2-3-1, letting play disconnect from the goalkeeper then engaging in funneling Kibera Soccer to one side.Isaac Omueri was majorly tasked with starting from the inside then jumping on a centre back once the ball was played to them, he did this while blocking the passing lane to the other centre back by making a curved run.Chipu hoping to floor Hong Kong and exit World Rugby U20 trophy tournament heads highIf the in possession centre back was able to find his partner, this would act as trigger for the winger to push forward aggressively. The main intention of Nairobi United was to force their opponents into one side of the pitch and make it impossible for them to build from the back.The 5-1 win placed Nairobi United in pole position for the promotion playoff berth, noting that their closest rivals fell to 3K FC. Nairobi United will for sure have their eyes set on the National Super League promotion, with one game remaining. They are a good side, tactically sound and are clearly set for good things.
