Sofapaka's Tactical Quandary: Exploring the issues behind their slow start

2009 Kenyan Premier League winners Sofapaka FC always start the season with an underlying hope of regaining their status as the top boys in the Kenyan football business. A side formerly reknown for their shrewd transfer business dealings this season seemed to have the outsiders eye with a proper, or what many thought was a proper transfer window. The signings of their former starman Fiston Abdul Razak, the arrival of evergreen and timeless Humphrey Mieno, highly talented Keegan Ndemi and ball carrier extraodinaire Amos Asembeka. Things looked to be looking up for the "Batoto Ba Mungu".

When Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa roped in Burundian tactician Francis Hirangingo, things now seemed to be in order. However things have taken a turn for the worst rather early on for the team. Sofapaka have played a total of 5 games, drawing 1 and losing 4. Scoring three goals and conceding 8 .

This start has seen the team sack the Burundian tactician.

Sofapaka fire Burundian coach Francis Haringingo

In this piece I set out to understand the issues at the side. This is by no means I stating that I'd do a better job than coach Francis Hirangingo.

Issues

Build up

With the roping in of very possession-based midfielders, especially in Humphrey Mieno, Sofapaka looked to offset the issue of building out from the back that they have heavily struggled with over the past few seasons. The responsiblility of central progression lying heavily on Humphrey Mieno and / or Amos Asembeka. With Asembeka the first phase progression majorly comes from carries while with Mieno they come from passing.

However Sofapaka have so far struggled to find their rhythm when building out from the back opting to hoof the ball upfield. When Sofapaka build out from the back, in the rare instances they have so far they majorly do it in a 4-2 structure. This structure in build up should give them numerical superiority which usually makes it easier to negate the opposition press and comfortably play through. However Sofapaka's limited ability to take the necessary risks in playing like breaking passes puts a heavy responsibility on the fullbacks resulting in the opponents man marking the fullbacks. This now leaves them with only one option of long balls which makes it easier for the opposition to regain possession.

Style of play

Sofapaka have employed a strict defensive approach, being very compact in their out of possession structure. This has seen them look to attack on the counter and settle into a low block when defending. However this has not worked out well for the side concede the most goals.

However with the quality in control especially in midfield that they have, noting they roped in Oliver Maloba from Nairobi City Stars, this makes them one of the better sides in settled possession meaning teams will sit back and rarely give them the opportunity to play on the counter as they will have majority of possession. Also when Sofapaka have managed to get the counter attacking opportunities they have not been as lethal and clinical as needed, something you cannot afford when you are a counter attacking side.

In game management

Sofapaka have struggled on matters in game management and adapting to the in game state. The lack of tactical adaptability and predictiveness of substitutions make it much easier for the opposition to analyse and and counter their tactical approach. Sofapaka have predominantly used 2 systems 1-4-3-3 and 1-4-2-3-1 showing they do have 2 systems but for whatever reason they rarely switch in game to adapt to the opponents set up.

Low Blocks

Sofapaka this season have heavily struggled against breaking low blocks, most FKF Premier League teams look to limit opposition opportunities for wide overloads. This has been the case when teams come up against Sofapaka, limiting their wide overloads and sticking tight to Fiston Abdul Razak.

Therefore, when breaking down low blocks adopting a 1-4-1-3-2 would be much easier as the opposition will not have only one striker to focus on but the would now have two . Through this they cannot double up on Fiston Abdul Razak which would result in him being able to isolate his marker with his channel runs. Maloba's ability in tight spaces coupled with Asembeka 's incredible vision would mean the forwards are capable of receiving in positions that would unlock defenses. Not forgeting the pairs ability to unlock defenses with passes.

Humphrey Mieno's passing range creates a whole new problem for a low block to think about,as pressing him would draw players out . Giving space in behind, letting him settle also proves fatal as he is able to break lines. This can only work though if their build up is fixed.

With the probability of a new tactician taking over, there are quite a few changes that need to be made, however the potential in this Sofapaka squad is there for all to see.