TACTICAL ANALYSIS ON HOW KAKAMEGA HOMEBOYZ OUTPLAYED Gor MAHIA

Kakamega Homeboyz under the tutelage of Francis Baraza are proving to be a hard side to play against. They are compact at the back since they defend with a line of 5 which denies the opponent accessing dangerous zones. Against Zedekia Otieno’s “Zico” Gor Mahia, the home side proved to be a better side however luck was not on their side as they hit the woodwork two times. In the dying minutes, Moses Shumah with a bullet header thought he had won it for “Abana Be Ingo” only for the linesman to wave it offside.

Without Austin Odhiambo “Rolls Royce”  in the squad, the 21 times champions struggled in the final third. This was evident as they failed to register a shot on target. Managing to shoot only two times towards the goal,  they had only two shots off target and they failed to create goal scoring chances.

Francis Baraza set his side in a 3-5-2 formation. With Moses Ssestuba out of contract and rumoured to be on his way out, Simon Masika was the preferred option between the sticks. In a three man defense, Boniface Onyango played as a left center back with the Skipper Brian Chala playing on the right hand side as Francis Omondi was positioned between them. John Omondi “Buba” played as a right wing back with Farouk Musisi occupying the left wing back. Estone Omengo was tasked with the defensive duties while Glen Otunga and Ben Stanley were to create for the team. Moses Shumah and the Ugandan, Paul Wangi led the line for the visitors.

With the defensive approach “Zico” lined his side in a 4-4-2 formation. Kevin Omondi was between the sticks. Philemon Otieno and Geoffrey Ochieng occupied fullback positions. Joshua Onyango and Kennedy Onyango partnered at the center of the defense. Ernest Wendo and the Ghanaian, Enock Morrison complemented each other in double pivot roles. The pacy Shariff Musa and Samuel Kapen started as wide players. Gedeon Bendeka was the main striker as Ouma Rodgers played behind him.

Homeboyz had a variation of how they started their goal kicks. Due to Gor’s 4-4-2 passive press led by Gedeon Bendeka and Rodgers Ouma, Homeboyz had an easy time in playing short from the back and building play from it as they 3v2 overloads. Gor dropped to a mid-block defence and preferred to have zonal marking.

In settled play, Homeboyz used a 3-2-5 formation to progress the ball. Brian Chala and Boniface Onyango stretched wide at the back as Francis Omondi was stationed between her fellow center backs to progress the ball. The wingbacks in John Omondi and Farouk Musisi pushed higher up the pitch to join the attack creating overloads in the last line of attack. In build up Estone Omengo, dropped deep to aid in the ball progression from center backs thus creating overloads in the first phase 4v2.

Due to Gor's passive press, it allowed the host to have much control of the game with the possession.

Boniface Onyango and Brian Chala with quick switches looked at playing long balls in the channel as they targeted Moses Shumah and Paul Wangi. With this approach, Gor Mahia had to be alert and their defense line dropped deep to counter this threat.

By preferring to play with two target men; Moses Shumah and Paul Wangi, Kakamega Homeboyz relied heavily on them in the final third. Moses Shumah’s intelligence with his in behind run was key in keeping Gor's defense at bay for the whole match. His aerial dominance enabled him to win the duels before holding the play to allow Paul Wangi, Glen Otunga and Ben Stanley to join the attack.

On most occasions from goal kicks, Gor Mahia were forced to play as long as the Homeboyz press was aggressive. Moses Shumah and Paul Wangi led the press. With aerial dominance, Baraza’s men won the first balls with ease

With a 4-2-4 formation Gor Mahia failed to progress the ball due to turnovers. Enock Morrison was the main orchestrator of the team as he looked at dropping deep to progress the ball and also complementing Ernest Wendo in the defensive duties. Wendo’s action on the ball was limited as he sat in front of the defensive to halt any attack.

Without Austin Odhiambo in the starting lineup, the 21 times league champions struggled to create chances. This was evident as they failed to register a single shot on target. Homeboyz 'compact defensive approach also limited their access to the penalty box as they had only two touches in the penalty area and two box carries. 

Defending with the line of five at the back 5-3-2, it was a nightmare for the visitors to have central progression, this forced them to play wide to Shariff Musa or Samuel Kapen, however this was not enough for Gor to create chances as the Homeboyz wingback had the control of the wide areas.

In the final third Homeboyz looked to play early crosses in the box. In possession, John Omondi and Farouk Musisi advanced high up the pitch to combine with Glen Otunga or Ben Stanley before delivering curling crosses in the box aiming at Moses Shumah and Paul Wangi.

Francis Baraza is proving to master 3-5-2 formation as it has been evident in the recent matches Kakamega Homeboyz have played.