Tusker beat Gor Mahia on penalties to lift the DSTV Super Cup. Gor Mahia controlled the midfield area in the second half but couldn’t break a disciplined Tusker defense.
STARTING LINE UPS.
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| The starting line-ups. |
Anaba Awono made four changes to the side that drew against Al Merreikh last week. Iva Mapunda a replacement for Jerrim Onyango in goal, Donald Mosoti, Moses Odhiambo and George Midenyo were all given a start.
Joseph Shikokoti wasn’t available for selection for Tusker who instead had Brian Mandela and Humphrey Okoti in central defense and with Crispin Olando missing through injury, Joseph Mbugi deputised as the anchor.
EARLY STAGES
Gor Mahia started with a 4-4-1-1 formation with David Owino and Donald Mosoti as the centre backs, Musa Muhammed on right fullback and Yusuf Juma continued in his favourable left fullback. In the midfield third, Rama Salim stayed close to Collins Okoth, Victor Ali on the right, Moses Odhiambo on the left flank and Baldin Ngwa just behind George Midenyo.
This worked in favour of Okoth – a ball winner. He’s good when playing with another player alongside him, unlike when he plays alone in the holding role. Salim took balls off him and was able to spray it wide and forward to the rest players.
Tusker’s intentions were clear; maintain a well intact defense and move the ball forward at a very quick rate. They played the entire game with an unchanged 4-3-3 formation. In the defense line, Jockins Atudo played on the right fullback; Isaac Otieno in the left fullback and in central defense, Humphrey Okoti partnered Brian Mandela to his left. The midfield three formed a triangle with Joseph Mbugi at the base Fredrick Onyango and Peter Opiyo were ahead of him. Patrick Kagogo stayed wide on the left, Paul Were cutting in from the right and Fredrick Ojwang’ the centre forward.
With Gor Mahia having Salim deep in the midfield, this worked well in favour of Joseph Ndugi. No one was directly ahead of him and had all the room he needed in construct attacks from his deep position. Baldin Ngwa dropped deep but couldn’t disrupt his play – he had a problem with his injury.
The first half period was evenly balanced.
SECOND HALF.
Gor Started the second half on a higher note. They made a tactical change by withdrawing George Midenyo, a centre forward and replaced him with Kevin Ochieng’, a wing back. This also was followed by a change in formation – a switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Kevin Ochieng’ moved to right back, Musa Muhammed played as a holding midfielder pushing Collins “Gattuso” Okoth just ahead of him – a bit box-to-box. Moses Odhiambo maintained his left flank. Rama Salim moved to the right wing, Victor Ali became more centrally positioned and Ngwa as the lone forward.
It went according to Awono’s intentions: move a combative player – in this case Gattuso – to close down Tusker’s Joseph Mbugi - who had space in the first half period to dictate the flow of the game - and to get the wide players, Rama Salim and Moses Odhiambo, to drift in and create space for the fullbacks to stretch the game wide. This worked well for a few minutes before Baldin Ngwa started limping and couldn’t play on.
At this point you’d expect Demonde Selenga to come on – in fact he started warming up ahead of the rest – but Anthony Akumu replaced Ngwa. Formation was maintained but change in personnel. Musa Muhammed went back to right back and Kevin Ochieng’ to right wing. Akumu stayed behind Gattuso. Rama Salim played as an attacking midfielder and Victor Ali to the left. Moses Odhiambo the striker – a major setback.
Having Moses Odhiambo as a striker – probably one of the shortest players on the pitch – wasn’t a bright move. The fullbacks stretched the pitch brilliantly and turning crosses in only to be met by the towering Tusker's central defenders. Odhiambo has the trickery but his height and poor aerial ability meant that the crosses were wasted.
Tusker maintained a well organised defense line that sat deep and stayed close to each other to prevent passes through the channels. They were able to contain Gor Mahia’s attacks very well but their transition in the second half wasn’t impressive. And the wingers were not fed the ball they anticipated and to redeem themselves, they dropped deep to try and get involved.
K'Ogallo dominated majority of the second half period but couldn't make it count.
CONCLUSION.
With a few players missing through injuries and personal issues, Tusker came in with a clear strategy manageable by the players Sammy Omollo had. And he maintained it the entire game – only one change made in the later stages of the game. In the end he managed to have what he desired, the win and the trophy.
Gor Mahia were yet again involved in a tactical battle in an aim to get their lead back but couldn’t against the tight Tusker. To be fair to K’Ogallo, they were hardly hit by unexpected injuries in the second half period that forced them to deploy several players in several positions.
Honestly, not a fascinating game to supporter who expects goals to be scored in numbers but it was, tactically. One manager disrupted by injuries tried several means to penetrate the other who, on his side, was happy to sit deep and contain the attack from his opponent.
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