After a morale-boosting 2-1 win over host nation Tanzania in the opening match, Kenya Under-20 took to the pitch for their second game against Rwanda in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.In this piece, we break down the in-possession tactical approach taken by head coach Salim Babu and his charges in the 0-0 draw against a defensively resolute and stubborn Rwandan side.Babu kept faith in the same team that started against Tanzania. In goal was Ibrahim Wanzala, the central defensive pairing was of Manzur Suleiman and captain Amos Wanjala. Baron Ochieng was the right back with Nairobi City Stars stalwart Rodgers Wasega at left back.##NAJAVA_MECA_8400970##The dynamic duo of Kevin Wangaya and Andreas Odhiambo were tasked with progression as the central midfielders, completing the midfield trio was AFC Leopards’ Kelly Madada. Hassan Beja and William Gitama flanked Luis Ingavi.From the early stages, it could be seen that the Rwandans came into the match with a rather cautious approach. Looking to soak in pressure and play long balls in behind to the runs of their wingers and the striker. This posed a good problem for Babu as Rwanda looked to let his side control proceedings by being passive in their block until Kenya’s entry into the final third where they became very aggressive.So what was the In-Possession strategy?There were variations in the buildup, with the two centre-backs splitting wide of the goalkeeper, with minimal to no consistent pressure from Rwanda, Kenya varied in its build-up structure, Wangaya was the designated first-phase progressor looking to get on the ball in the deeper areas and turning to start points of attacks.An interesting aspect of this phase was the fullbacks were not involved in the build-up phase pushing higher up. The left-back pushed much higher up, providing width on that side with the right-back Baron Ochieng slightly lower.Left winger, Beja came into the left half space in buildup. The settled progression phase is where things looked up for the Rising Stars, an overload in the central areas to force the opponents inside and then create possibilities of 1v1 on the flanks was what was being brewed in the centre.Harambee Stars seeking maiden win over Cameroon 52 years after first meetingIn the settled progression phase, Baron Ochieng remained more reserved, leaving the touchline for William Gitama. This action allowed Babu’s side to have a rested defense of three with Ochieng slotting in next to Amos Wanjala and Mansour Okwaro. Babu is renowned for wanting his fullbacks to push very high up on the pitch, with a bullish central defensive midfielder providing the rest defense with the two centre-backs.However, in this Rising Stars side, the midfield partnership of Andreas Odhiambo and Kevin Wangaya are majorly “ball players” and not “runners” thus the extra cover from Baron was well warranted.##NAJAVA_MECA_8400983##Three at the back enabled a diamond-like structure in midfield. Kevin Wangaya was at the base of the diamond, Hassan Beja occupied the left-hand side with Andreas Odhiambo on the right-hand side. Madada played at the tip of the diamond, operating between the lines. This midfield partnership ate up the Rwandan midfield duo of Sultan Sibomana and Didie Ndayishimiye.The initial information as it seemed from coach Eric Nshimiyimana was for the ball-side winger to drop much deeper and form what looked like a five or six at the back without the ball. The winger tasked with marking the opposing fullback so as to not drag out theWelsh-based Adam Wilson reveals two reasons why Kenya can beat CameroonRwandan fullbacks to create large distances between the fullback and the centre-back. This saw Kenya now look to break down a 6-2-1-1 formation. The resolute defensive block forced Kenya to improvise and create overload to isolate scenarios. As the game progressed, with overloads on the left-hand side, quick switches could be seen to the right-hand side for William Gitama to take on his marker 1v1.Another interesting dynamic on the right-hand side which looked like one of Kenya’s main areas of final third penetration was when in settled possession to have Madada/Ingavi making the half-space run, something the marker struggled to track and Kenya managed to create some decent chances from this right-hand side.##NAJAVA_MECA_8400973##The strong defensive display from Rwanda was commendable especially in the second half, with their left-back Paul Sindi putting up a man-of-the-match performance to grind out the result.It will be a lesson in how to better breakdown an opponent’s low block, games the Rising Stars could seemingly face more of against lowly opposition. The structure is decent and will aid in getting the goals, here comes the need for being clinical with chances created and how better to use set-pieces against towering opposition.As the lads prepare to face Djibouti, they have what it takes to go all the way both tactically and technically.
