Tyson Otieno: Tactical Analysis of Kenya Police FC's Jewel in the Crown

Arguably the most hyped and well documented FKF Premier League transfer over the past few years. Tyson Otieno’s move from Kariobangi Sharks to Kenya Police FC raised a lot of debate on social media platforms especially noting that Kenyan giants Gor Mahia were in for his signature and an unnamed Rwandese side. It was a bidding war that Kenya Police FC came out on top. Leaving Gor Mahia frustrated as their number one target was snapped up. This frustration would be further heightened with missing out on wingers Cliff Nyakeya and Samuel Kapen.

Tyson Otieno is a gem of a footballer, his close control and ability to beat his man 1v1 are clearly his biggest strengths. He is able to control the tempo of the game, dictating play to his will as he did very well at Kariobangi Sharks FC in the recently concluded 2022/2023 season where he finished the season with 9 goals and 10 assists in a side that finished as the third highest scoring team in the league with 46 goals.

In this piece I set out to understand how exactly Kenya Police FC could look to utilize Tyson Otieno, drawing inspiration from their pre- season friendlies and how they set up with him in their first league encounter.

In joining Kenya Police FC, Tyson Otieno has joined the highest scoring team in the league from last season, Kenya Police FC had 57 league goals. In Elvis Rupia Kenya Police FC had a 27goal player however, the player Tyson will be looking to replace, well according to creative output will be Duke Abuya who got 6 goals and a whooping 20 assists for the South C based law enforcers.

Let us understand Tyson’s profile. At Kariobangi Sharks FC Coach William Muluya and his staff tried to provide the most suitable roles for Tyson to flourish, he played as a false nine or an attacking midfielder in the Sharks set up. At Kenya Police FC during the pre- season and consequently in the first match of the league Tyson Otieno has been deployed by coach Francis Baraza on the left wing, this has been his pre dominant position however due to the fluid movements Police FC employ he also pops up on the right hand side. His close control, strong 1v1 trickery and receiving look to be maximized in the wide areas at Police FC, which in a way makes sense especially noting how space is majorly left in the wide areas as teams look to be very compact and deny central penetration.

Tyson is however very comfortable receiving between the lines and always tries to find space, his strengths also lie in receiving on the half turn and progressing the ball further. Tyson’s ball retention makes it hard to dispossess him, he also offers good off-the-ball movements through the channels, to exploit space behind the opponent’s backline. His assist for Kenya Police FC against Singida Big Stars in a friendly match attributes to this quality as he darts well in behind after Elvis Rupia has dropped deep to assist Rupia with a well weighted low cross.

At Kariobangi Sharks, Tyson could be seen dropping deep to help in progression from deep, something we could see less and less of him at Police FC given the set up they employ. They want him high and wide in possession. At Police FC Tyson has however already shown that he will look to majorly drift into the left halfspace and take on his man or play a killer pass in more central zones, leaving Police FC with the dilemma of width. The left back now has to provide width in this side, a profile Police FC are rather short on, a marauding left back to provide width.

So why should Police FC allow Tyson to drift infield more?

Azam Chief Operations Officer challenges Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards

Given the star -studded assembly of quality at their disposal, most FKF Premier League teams will look to play in a low block. This is where the Tyson Otieno profile will be key, especially in an interior role. His creativity and combination play will be key in such situations . Elvis Rupia is unarguably the sharpest centre forward in the league and his runs, especially late arrivals in the box and how he moves to the blind side will be key in also getting the best out of Tyson, who through his impeccable key passes can find Rupia easily.

With teams that form a low block, again something Police FC should expect to face on numerous occasions it is important that Tyson is not restricted to any wide role, heck even have him as a false 9 in a twin striking partnership with Elvis Rupia. It is more in the half spaces and between the lines where they can get the best out of one of the brightest talents in the country.