Since the arrival of Jaan Koops, AFC Leopards have transformed the way they approach play compared to the torrid time the club underwent before his tenure begun. They are now a proactive side; prefer passing the ball round trying to penetrate rather than just running up and down. They also try and suffocate the opponents when they lose the ball.
Last season, AFC Leopards played with a back four that quickly changed to a back three with one full back pushing high up to join up with the midfield band and the other full back sticking with the two centre backs; a 4-3-3 that quickly changed to a 3-3-1-3 formation.
PEACE CUP
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| AFC Leopards' Starting XI against Gor Mahia in the Peace Cup Final. |
Against Gor Mahia in the Peace Cup, Koops started with a 4-3-3 formation with Edwin Wafula and Abbas Kiwalabye the full backs, Martin Imbalambala and Jonas Nahimana the centre backs. In the midfield was Bernard Mang’oli at the base, Charles Okwemba drifting in from left and Oscar Kadenge staying wide to his right. In attack, Laurent Tumba and Victor Ochieng’ were the outside forwards and Mike Baraza the centre forward.
As the game progressed, player movements in the pitch were decent and the players themselves were tactically aware. They moved in and out the pitch to form a 3-3-1-3 formation. This gave them a decent number of players high up the pitch and, of course, fluidity as the try to pass and press.
Abbas Kilabwaaye, the left fullback had the freedom to move up and Charles Okwemba drifted in and operated behind the front three. At the back, Jonas Nahimana, Martin Imbalambala and Edwin Wafula did spread to form a back three.
The addition of Erick Masika is fascinating in regard to what Jaan Koops is trying to do in the “Den”.
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| A focused Erick Masika. |
Erick Masika is a brilliant all-rounded defender no doubt about that; his no-nonsense defending, last-ditch tackles and late runs in to the box will be very important to AFC Leopards come next season.
Not only is he a good centre back, his ability to move forward and attack with his team mates, his passing ability, speed, and how he’s able to read the game is superb. And a plus is that he is comfortable on the ball.
A few points (three actually) on his move to Ingwe:
PACE
Perhaps maybe the reason he was signed is because of his pace. As I pointed out earlier about AFC Leopards pushing up, their back line wasn’t that fast and it altered the positioning of the other team members as they are forced to stay back while waiting to pick up the ball and move.
Moving masses high up helps in countering the opponents’ attack away from the danger zone. And they should be able to do this at a faster rate; Masika’s movement could be used as a benchmark by the other defenders in ensuring they move away from their goal as he moves.
SUPPORT
Another thing is support play. Or should I say cover? When the fullbacks push forward, their ‘room’ should be well covered to avoid exploitation by the opposing wide men. Am not saying that Masika will do the “donkey work” here but with his intelligence, he should screen his friends who have joined the other players in attacking. And as a cover he’ll confront the other opponent and move across him in order to delay play and in the mean time, the others are recovering.
If he’s to support, then he might be forced to stay a bit deeper as the other players move up to screen the back line – which he can do very well.
FORMATION
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| AFC in attack. Note how Okwemba has positioned himself behind the forwards. |
Jaan Koops played the 3-3-1-3 last season. As a way of flexibility in terms of formation, he has a versatile Erick Masika. If he played a 1-3-3-3, he might deploy him as the deep centre back to patrol the back line and to cover up if a mistake is made. Masika can still play as the stopper ahead of the back line to counter attacks up the centre in a 3-1-4-2 formation. He gives his coach several options to choose from.
Just conclude, it’s still arguable where and how Erick Masika will play with his new team. But he gives Ingwe the flexibility and fluidity they need as Koops tries to install his ideas to the club. AFC Leopards are lucky to have him.
Ingwe’s first game of the season is against a side that played vertically for the majority of last season; Chemelil Sugar. He might get his league debut against them, an opportunity to see how he'll start off in his new club.
Undoubtedly, he is one of the best if not the best defender in the country. Under good coaches and managers he will surely develop to his very best and might even reach the heights set by likes of Musa Otieno, Josephat Murila, Jonathan Niva etc etc
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