Gor Mahia 1 Al Merreikh 1: Gor Mahia play around with tactics to break down Al Merreikh.

Baldin Ngwa’s late strike gave Gor Mahia a deserved draw against their Sudanese counterparts.

 

Baldin Ngwa prepares to shoot.

Gor Mahia started with a 4-4-2 diamond formation, switched to a 4-2-3-1, back to a 4-4-2 and finally a 4-3-3 manages to break a stubborn and well organised Al Merreikh: a 4-3-3 formation (4-5-1 without the ball).

Anaba Awono made changes to the entire starting XI that played against City Stars last week. Jerrim Onyango took his place in goal, David Owino and Evans Anguyo were the centre backs while Musa Muhammed and Yusuf Juma were the full backs. In the midfield were Collins Okoth as the anchor and Moses Otieno in the hole. They were flanked by Dan Makori on the left and Victor Ali on the right flank. And Baldin Ngwa as the centre forward supported by Rama Salim.

The first fifteen minutes after the kick off was evenly balanced as both teams tried to settle into the game. Several balls were wasted, throw-ins, fouls etc etc. 

Eventually Al Merreikh managed to get the ball and pass it around, the wingers tucked in to support the midfielders and dragging along Gor’s full backs. Their full backs provided the width and used the space created by the wingers very well. 

Yusuf Juma was the victim in the first goal; he was dragged in by the winger, allowing the full back to stretched wide before cutting the ball in to Gor’s box for Ajab Faisal to dribble neatly then placing the ball into the bottom right corner of Jerrim Onyango’s net.

Al Merreikh’s domination forced Gor Mahia to switch to a narrow 4-2-3-1. Moses Otieno stayed close to Collins Okoth, Rama Salim dropped deep to join up with Victor Ali and Dan Makori. Baldin Ngwa was left alone in the attack. At this moment Gor Mahia were in control of the game but couldn’t break Al Merreikh’s defence block; an organised and an intact one. 

Their creator – Rama Salim - was tightly closed down by the opposing holding midfielders and couldn’t find the killer pass to feed Ngwa. The full backs rarely stretched the pitch.

Gor went into the break on a high note in terms of possession.

Gor Mahia picked the second half from where they had left in the first half with its favoured 4-4-2 diamond formation. Al Merreikh sat deep, suck in the pressure hoping to catch Gor with counter attacks. They did manage a few chances but couldn’t utilise them.

Mid-way through the second half, Moses Odhiambo came in for Dan Makori, Midenyo replaced Moses Otieno, Victor Ali paved way for Kevin Ochieng’ and Evans Anguyo was withdrawn in favour of John Kiplang’at. And a switch to a 4-3-3 formation with Odhiambo, Midenyo and Ngwa forming the attacking trio. 

 

Odhiambo’s movement on the left side caused a major problem to the AL Merreikh defense while the physical presence of Midenyo – who was the centre forward - was vital as he was able to receive balls and hold up waiting for runs from the midfielders and the outside forwards.

Rama Salim’s creativity was at its best when he played just ahead of the midfield. 

 

Three points worth noting from the game:

RAMA SALIM’S IMPORTANCE.

There is always a need of a player who maintains the flow of the game, who creates chances, who splits the defense and who provides the much needed link between the midfield and the attack; the conductor. Rama Salim is one of them. Gor Mahia lacked a skillful player who could play in between the lines last season. They’re privileged to have him.

Rama Salim in control.

Rama played in three different positions against Al Merreikh; as a support striker, attacking midfielder and at central midfield (though this was at later stages of the game after Gor had equalised). 

 

Gor Mahia’s passes in the final third are much more improved with Rama Salim being the recipient of the balls coming from the midfield and passing them out to the outside players or the centre forward. By have the ball, he drags opponents out of their positions and creating spaces to play his passes and he relieves work load off Collins Okoth’s shoulders who at times was forced bring the ball from deep in the midfield with his forward runs.

GOR MAHIA’S WING PLAY.

The wingers are yet to give the performance expected from them. They’ve been unable to stretch the pitch wide and provide crosses. They keep moving in and out (perhaps due to the pressure they’re subjected to by the opposing full backs).

Dan Makori often plays as box-to-box winger; he’s subjected to a little bit of defending at the same time stretching. Victor Ali do love cutting in from the wide to midfield areas. At least Gor Mahia should get a few goals from counter attacks with the likes of Moses Odhiambo, John Kiplang’at and Kevin Ochieng’ hugging the touch line.

AL MERREIKH POSED LESS THREAT.

When Gor Mahia started fighting back during the second half period, you could feel and see that they were going to get something out of the game. K’Ogallo can learn from this game. They pinned Al Merreikh in their own half for several periods in the second half, something they didn’t do in the first half period. Perhaps they should be able to suffocate their opponents come next season in the league or even in the CAF tournament; not allowing runs behind them.

It was fascinating tactical battle between the two sides. 

 

A draw would at least feel like a reasonable result to this game, where Gor Mahia players were forced to think of ways to beat a rock-solid Al Merreikh’s defense - K’Ogallo clearly won and dominated majority of the second half. 

 

Al Merreikh got a few chances in the first half period and took them – they had well organised defensive block.

NB: A shout also to the defensive partnership between Evans Anguyo and David Owino. Distributed the balls well and provided decent cover to the advanced full backs and to the ever-impressive Collins “Gattuso” Okoth.