Noah Abich scores from the spot give Tusker FC its first win of the season.
STARTING XI
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| The starting XI |
Sammy Omollo made two changes to the side that started against Gor Mahia in the DSTV Super Cup last week. Humphrey Okoti was withdrawn and a last minute change meant Brian Mandela got his place on the bench. In their place was the introduction of Charles Odete and Noah Abich.
City Stars started with John Amboko and Francis Akong'o in central defense, Victor Okullu and Dennis Omondi in central midfield. And Francis Thairu just behind Dan Sserunkuma in attack.
CITY STARS FORMATION
City played with a 4-4-1-1 system with Francis Thairu operating behind the main man Dan Sserunkuma. In the midfield, Victor Okullu stayed close to his midfield partner Dennis Omondi. But with City sitting deep Thairu dropped deep to join up the midfielders leaving Sserunkuma as a lone striker - a 4-5-1 – to position himself ahead of Victor Okullu and Dennis Omondi who stuck together at the base of the midfield. This provided a good defensive core as they tried to contain Tusker’s attack.
Dan Sserunkuma played well in finding space to receive the ball but was poor in holding it up for of the players to join in attacking. He’s tricky, that’s why he created the space for himself but he’s physically disadvantaged and he lost the ball to Tusker’s defenders easily. And this was a major problem to a side that wanted to break. Perhaps this explains the reason why they had a few open chances.
To Tusker, it became difficult to break up the City’s defense block in the first half. They had the ball they needed but could not get it through the channels.
SECOND HALF
Five minutes into the second half and there was no major tactical switch, then Omollo made two changes. Patrick Kagogo came off for Obadiah Ndege and Fredrick Onyango paved way for Jerry Santos.
And switch to a 4-4-2 system followed. Joseph Mbugi moved wide to the left, Paul Were remained in the right flank and Jerry Santos stayed behind Peter Opiyo in the midfield. Fredrick Onyango joined Obadiah Ndege in the attack.
This reduced the number of Tusker players in the midfield and with City’s Thairu in deep position; it was a 3 v 2 in favour of City. And they capitalized immediately by going up one nil. Tusker equalized and grabbed the winner before City could really settle at the back.
City Stars made their first changes in the seventy fifth minute by introducing Justus Basweti in David King’atua’s place and Victor Okullu was replaced by Boniface Onyango. The changes brought a slight twist in their formation as they tried to come back. A 4-4-1-1 to a diamond 4-4-2 formation.
Substitute Boniface Onyango sat deep allowing Francis Akongo to move up and Francis Thairu paired up with Dan Sserunkuma in the attack. The other sub Joshua Basweti moved to the left flank. This changed the game and City was the attacking team at this stage but couldn’t score as Tusker looked to protect their lead.
CONCLUSION
A cautious game by both sides who didn’t play to their best. Tusker could not find the creativity and skillful passing in the final third as they tried to penetrate City Stars’ defense. On the other hand, City played well defensively for a majority of the game but when it came to transition, they were wasteful.
A good win for the champions as they look forward to defending their title.
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