The newly promoted side, Nairobi United, handed Kakamega Homeboyz their first loss of their season. The match was rescheduled due to the involvement of Nairobi United in the continental football. After seeking refuge in Mumias Sports Complex for one and a half years, “Abana Be Ingo” has returned to Bukhungu Stadium after its renovation. 

Having had a shake-up in the technical bench, Abana Be Ingo are struggling to replicate last season's results. In his second stint with the Kakamega-based side, Patrick Odhiambo has overseen only three matches.

In those three matches, the team have registered a mixture of results. On the other hand, Muyoti's managed side is proving to be a formidable side to play against. The Naibos seem to be a force to reckon with this season.

In a tactical battle, Muyoti's side overpowered Abana Be Ingo in a convincing win with Enock Machaka's strike and Eugene Okoth's own goal. 

How The Teams Set Up

Patrick Odhiambo set up his side in a 1-3-5-2 formation; however, in the second half, he was forced to change the formation to 4-3-3 to counter his opponent. Two changes were made from the side that won against Sofapaka. 

Edwin Mukolwe started between the sticks. In a three-man defence, Onyango Boniface was positioned on the left, while Okoth Eugene was positioned on the right, with Potifah Odhiambo being stationed at their centre.

Enock Masinza and John “Bubah” Omondi started as wingbacks. Ouma Rodgers played behind Glen Otunga and Hillary Juma, who were tasked with the creativity of the team. Lopaga Joseph and Gideon Bendeka started as two forwards.

Nicholas Muyoti countered his Kakamega Homeboyz by setting up his side in a 1-4-4-2 formation. Seven changes were made from that side that lost against Bidco.

Bernard Jairo manned the sticks as Kevin Osanya and Yusuf Mainge started in the fullback position. The three-time Mozart Bet winner John Otieno partnered with Prince Buregeya at the heart of defence. 

Brian Mzee was trusted in the holding role as Lesley Owino and Enock Machaka played ahead of him. Duncan Omalla and Ovella Ochieng played as wide players, with Frank Ouya starting as a target man.

In most minutes of the first half, Nairobi United looked to recycle the possession to bait the Homeboyz press. Bernard Jairo was heavily used in the buildup in the first phase of the play, with Brian Mzee dropping to aid in ball progression.

Muyoti's Tactical Masterclass

For the first half, they played short goal kicks whenever Gideon Bendeka and Josephat Lopaga failed in putting pressure on the ball carriers. They targeted launching balls on the right-hand side of the pitch.

On most occasions, Homeboyz looked to be desperate for the ball and pressed without a clear plan; their 5-3-2 out-of-possession structure was flawed and failed to deny Muyoti's side the space to play their short passes. 

Naibos wingers Ovella Ochieng and Duncan Omalla stayed wide and high up the pitch, occupying the spaces vacated by wingbacks who looked at pressing the fullbacks. Out of the seven crosses played by Nairobi United, Ovella Ochieng delivered the most crosses, 4. The crosses were delivered from the right-hand side.

The Goals

Nairobi United's two goals came from the right-hand side of the pitch, with Ovella Ochieng playing a crucial role in both goals. 

In the first goal, after a short passing in the final third, a pass was played wide in the space behind the Homeboyz defence. Ovella Ochieng had an acreage of space to run and deliver a low cross before Enock Machaka tapped past Edwin Mukolwe.

The second goal was a result of recycling possession from the back. Ovella Ochieng drifted inside to occupy half space, allowing Enock Machaka to make a diagonal run to the wide zone. Enock Machaka delivered a cross from wide before Eugene Okoth directed the ball into his own net.

With a two-goal lead, Nairobi United reverted to a deep, conservative defence, organising into a compact 1-4-4-2 low block to shut down the host team's attacking space.

They had a passive press, as they were unwilling to step out of their block to put pressure on the ball carrier.

Kakamega Homeboyz Woes

With the 1-3-5-2 formation not working out for Patrick Odhiambo's side, he reverted to a 1-4-3-3 formation with an early substitution; Enock Masinza was subbed off for Oliver Majak. Oliver Majak’s ball-carrying ability was key in unlocking the compact defensive structure of the Naibos.

Boniface Onyango played long switches from his own half to find the overlapping John Omondi. With Glen Otunga in the right half space, it was easier for John to combine with him before delivering a cross, which seemed to be dangerous.

However, Gideon Bendeka and Josephat Lopaga failed to convert from the crosses.

Kakamega Homeboyz took control of the ball in the second half, racking up 54% possession while the visiting Nairobi United team sat back to defend deep in their own territory.

Rodgers Ouma acted as an orchestrator in the build phase, as he constantly dropped deep to receive from the defenders before carrying the ball to the midfield. When he dropped, this allowed Homeboyz fullbacks to overlap and offer numerical superiority in the final third.

For Naibos, Frank Ouya was subbed off for Michael Karamor, whose hold-up play was vital as most long balls were aimed at him. He won the aerial duels and held the ball, inviting his teammates to join the attack.

Muyoti’s side-out-of-possession structure is at par. They know how to stay compact and deny the opponent from accessing goal-scoring zones. Nairobi United will head into the continental football with confidence after silencing one of the league's heavyweights.

Feature Image Credit: Teya