How Sofapaka shaped up when out of possession in the ended season

“Khupa khutsie” is a terminology that has sprout up in the Kenyan game. The mentioned phrase is used to refer to a style of play where teams look to always play the ball long, not keen on getting into any sort of combination and passing rhythm, especially in their own half. Loosely put, 'kick it we go'.

In Sofapaka's case, when they win the ball back, they look to attack out wide and cross the ball for Roddy Manga to head. Hence why the phrase can be used to describe them. Khupa khutsie. Most people may frown upon this style of play but Coach David Ouma has managed to tailor it to his exact specification. Apart from giving entertaining post-match press conferences, to instilling a strong tactical discipline, the Sofapaka head coach is no pushover on the pitch.

The emphasis on cross balls, be it from open play or set pieces, has served the Batoto Ba Mungu well. From whipping in deliveries, they always will be in with a chance, it does not matter how many defenders the opposition might have in their box.

In this tactical analysis piece, I will go into intricate details of their out-of-possession structure and their key man this season, a rising star. I look at how exactly they manage to achieve given tactical defensive discipline on the pitch. A defensive approach that has seen them end the 2022/2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) season on the bottom half of the table at position 10 on 42 points.

Out Of Possession

Sofapaka look to defend in a 1-4-2-3-1 / 1-4-4-2 formation. This formation allowed them to sit very low with two banks of four. This is key as it enabled them to duly double team opposition wingers when the ball goes wide, something their compact shape looks to always allow the opposition to do. The double-team out wide enables them to have their winger and fullback working together to stop crosses into the box. An interesting alteration in the side is how the wingers will sometimes drop very deep that they can form a back six.

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Implementing the low-block out-of-possession enables Sofapaka to be able to duly control spaces and drop-offs. It is also very difficult to draw them out of this structure. Sofapaka also deals well with players between the lines, a major threat in the FKF PL, by ensuring very short distances between the blocks they employ. Through this action, they lock runs between the lines. On opposition sides looking to stretch their midfield, the Sofapaka side still handles the drop-offs well, through good timing.

To counter the loss of possession in transition, Sofapaka always look to swarm the opposition ball carrier. They do this to make sure the opposition ball carrier cannot progressively carry by dribbling through them or progressively pass to launch counterattacks. This has worked well as in Ben Stanley they have a player who reads the ball zones well, and their centre backs also anticipate well to step out and try block passing lanes.

Out of possession, Coach Ouma made his side play what is known as the long ball trap. Knowing the height his team has in defense, especially in David Nshirimana and Stephen Okola. Sofapaka look to discourage low build-up from their opposition by having their first line sometimes push higher up, this leaves some gaps between the lines which allows the opposition team to play long. The long balls into this area are effectively defended as they have the height and aerial dominance to win the first headers.

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It would not be a proper Sofapaka piece without touching on one Ben Stanley. The youngster has become a mainstay in Coach Ouma’s side, being deployed in various roles and has seemingly excelled in all of them due to his high technical ability and game intelligence. As a result, the lad has grown to be one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the league, evidenced when he is played there by his coach. The Sofapaka man has come in clutch for his side when need be, his tenacity in duels and composure on the ball have been a joy to watch. In the Sofapaka set up he has been tasked with the role of forcing opposition turnovers, making clearances and advancing play. He has grown into a proper box-to-box midfielder with his actions on the pitch.

Ben-Stanley has played in a double pivot in large parts of the season. The set-up at Sofapaka FC has seen him manage to be at his best by being the more active of the midfield duo. His role at Sofapaka looks to have him push his team further up the pitch getting in behind opposition lines of pressure and looking to accelerate play in the final phases of play, on instances where he is advanced, he has grown to be key as he is good in close combination in those tight spaces and good concentration levels to time his runs well. A player who will be on the radar of top teams in the country.