AFC Leopards 2 Oserian FC 0: Ingwe go top after a spectacular win over Oserian.

Allan Wanga scored his first of the season while Mike Baraza came off the bench to score putting AFC Leopards at the top of the Kenya Premier League pile.

STARTING XI


The Starting XI


 Jaan Koops made one change to the side that beat Mathare United last week. Jonas Nahimana on international duties wasn’t available and Amon Muchiri came in as his replacement. Martin Imbalambala dropped back to defense with Erick Masika alongside him. Allan Wanga the lone forward.

Oserian started with David Seda and Tom Onyango in central defense and Peter Chikani just behind Paul Odhiambo.

AFC LEOPARDS FORMATION

Ingwe set up in a similar 4-1-4-1 formation they used last week against Mathare United - they used a 4-4-2 against Chemelil Sugar on day one.
With Jonas Nahimana out of the squad, Martin Imbalambala dropped to defense and the incoming Amon Muchiri played just ahead of the defense. This meant Bernard Mang’oli was high up beside Khamis Salim.

Jimmy Bagaye did drift in from the left and Charles Okwemba on the right. Allan Wanga was the lone striker.

Muchiri did drop deep towards the centre backs a couple of times and gave the full backs – especially Abbas Kiwalabye – the freedom to move up and join in attack.

OSERIAN POSITIONING

They played with a flat 4-4-2 system without the ball and 4-1-2-1-2 with it.

In central midfield, David Seda partnered Tom Onyango and in the full back positions, Daniel Amuom was on the left and Franklin Osama on the right.

Ben Barasa broke forward to add more numbers in attack when Oserian had the ball and the wingers – Peter Waruguru on the left and Keipas Mutuu on the right – drifted in to give options to the ball carrier. Oserian never threatened from the flanks.

In a split forward, Peter Chikani was a bit behind Paul Odhiambo. Chikani dropped away from AFC’s back four and he got picked out by Muchiri.

SUBSTITUTION

Four changes were made, two from each side.

And in Oserian’s case, they made no significant change to the system to their formation. They were direct changes – Peter Waruguru was replaced by Tirus Oyuki and Peter Chikani paved way for Gordon Okoth.

One AFC Leopards’ substitution did change player movement in attack. But it didn’t affect the configuration and in fact the second change was an injury forced one – Abbas Kiwalabye was forced off with an injury in dying minutes and was replaced by Robert Syongoh.

Charles Okwemba’s withdrawal brought a slight and different movement in Ingwe’s attack. He was replaced by a forward Mike Baraza and he went to the left flank and Bageya moved to the right. Unlike when they had Okwemba, Baraza and Bageya now moved in freely to fill the void created behind by Wanga who went wide to receive the ball but when they lost it, they went back to their assigned positions.

CONCLUSION

It is hard to think of what Sammy Otinga could have done differently to have himself back in the game because Ingwe dominant and deservedly won both halves.

Bernard Mang’oli’s partnership with Khamis Salim is proving to be a good one. Both players now do have options to play passes to and make up a good combination – one combative one skillful. A convincing win for AFC Leopards who played brilliantly the entire game.

There was no tactical change in this game from both managers; they maintained what they started with for the entire game.