Of attacking fullbacks, fast wingers, switch balls and neat combinations on the edge of the opponent’s box. This tactical analysis piece looks to decipher what to expect from newly-promoted Mathare United under the tutelage of head coach John Kamau.The Slum Boys will feel indebted to coach Francis Kimanzi, now across the border with Tanzanian Premier League side Tabora United. Kimanzi stabilised the club from a wobbly state of limbo, torn between pragmatism and ambition to immediate promotion back to the FKF Premier League.Under coach Kimanzi they seemed to be taking the much-needed leap forward towards building something modern, youthful and exciting, as is the ‘greatness within’ way, an approach the club seems to have sustained under coach Kamau.’Gor Mahia and Al Ahly are not so different’ – Geoffrey ‘Simiti’ OchiengThe immediate former Posta Rangers tactician had a rather rocky start to his top-tier stint at the club, suffering a humbling 4-0 defeat to Kenyan giants AFC Leopards. However, it should not be all doom and gloom as in possession Mathare exhibited some scintillating stuff.A quick dive into the stats shows that Mathare created four chances, three from set-piece situations and one from open play. They accumulated 503 passes (55% possession), with a pass accuracy of 84%.With 73 entries into the opposition half, no key passes and 12 shots with only three on target. It was a game they had a majority of the ball but could not find that cutting edge. Something they will surely work on.##NAJAVA_MECA_8298214##So what should we expect from ‘Guadiora ball’ as most local football enthusiasts term coach Kamau’s style of play.Coach Kamau is less of a tactically dynamic coach. Instead, he has a clear in-possession philosophy and takes this wherever he goes. In possession, he employs a back 3, specifically a 3-1-5-1, transitional football with high intensity.The good news for Mathare faithful is the new in-possession scheme will not be a drastic change from the 4-2-3-1 Mathare employed last season. A feature of their football has been wide full-backs and narrow wingers.Gor Mahia, Kenya Police handed venue boost in CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup home clashesKamau will use the full-backs in the same way, higher up the pitch, especially with Erickson Mulu now deployed and use the wingers to come from outside to in.Mathare with the aforementioned structure will provide excellent opportunities to play transitional football, creating five-man overloads with the front players in attack and retreating into a back- four/ five, depending on how deep the deep-lying midfielder drops when defending.In Erickson Mulu and Sammy Imbuye, with the dangerous Paul Kinyanjui and Eli Asieche, most opponents will be distracted by the wide threat, Mathare will have a direct attacking route out wide and a more patient-controlled attacking approach in central areas. This aids them well in creating chances and getting free kicks in very dangerous areas.##NAJAVA_MECA_8298280##A common occurrence will be the wing-backs pushing and positioning high and wide, stretching the opposition’s defence and the interiors dropping to overload between the lines. This pinning of the backline back allows the opponent to not easily track the run of the interior players.In the build-up phase, as a knock-on effect of the full-backs pushing high up the pitch is the two centre-backs have to spread wide to cover the void left by the full-backs. Centre-backs who can fill in as auxiliary full-backs will be an essential ingredient for Mathare United, with a keen eye on Dan ‘Kelly’ Odhiambo the new recruit from Mombasa Elite, a highly rated prospect.The role of dropping between the central defenders to aid in progression in the first phase seems to be tasked to Boaz Maeri, a neat progressive passer with good vision and weight of pass. Dropping just in front of him will be Christian Lubulu, the technically gifted midfielder with an impeccable first touch.Historic Premier League debut for nine Mathare United players in AFC Leopards clashKamau’s side will utilize wide combinations in the halfspace well. Majorly they will look to attract a man-to-man press, isolating the far-side width provider, before finding an outlet and playing a quick switch of play to find him.In the final third, quick combinations to shoot and more effectiveness will see them fair well. Against AFC Leopards coach Kamau saw his side keep possession in the Ingwe final third for 04:04 minutes, 13 per cent of their overall possession, a number he would like to see improve for sure.The key players in possession for coach Kamau will be Paul Kinyanjui, the fast tricky winger. With 10 actions near the opponent’s box against Leopards, his output will be key in getting goals and creating open play chances.##NAJAVA_MECA_8298206##Eli Asieche too, who had two of the three Mathare shots on target in the game will be the main talisman in attack too for the Slum boys.It is set to be an intriguing season and Mathare United is a team that, when in rhythm will wow crowds all over the country.
