KCB 0 Western Stima 2: A goal from each half gave the power men a vital win over the bankers.

KCB’s run of good form was put to an end by Western Stima on Sunday afternoon. A defensive blunder was capitalized by Alloyce Mangi to make up for his sitter he missed a few seconds before his opener. And in the second half, a lack of communication between the KCB defenders and the goalkeeper allowed Wesley Kemboi to sneak behind the defense line and collect a through ball before rounding the keeper and setting up Justin Monda for an easy tap in.

STARTING XI

The Starting XI

KCB lined up in their favoured 4-4-2 formation with Brian Osumba and Michael Oyando in central midfield. Jacob Keli marauded just behind Ezekiel Odera in attack.

Western Stima lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Robert Kwaye and David Otieno in central defense. And in attack, Job Omuse and a mobile Alloyce Mangi partnered.

It started as a 4-4-2 v 4-4-2 and later finished as a 3-4-3 v 4-5-1.

EARLY STAGES

It was a comfortable half for both teams and they rarely penetrated each other’s defense line and both keepers were barely tested as they played for most of the time in the midfield third with solid performance Kevin Oluoch and Fred Shimoyo for Stima.

KCB’s Benjamin Chaka drifted in from left flank creating space for Milton Milimo to stretch the game wide and his presence in central areas gave the ball carrier an added option to play his pass. Brian Osumba was more of a box-to-box midfielder, he drooped deep when his team lost possession and moved forward to join in attack when KCB broke forward.

Alloyce Mangi was perhaps the most mobile attacker on the pitch. In the first minutes, he started from deep and came forward to join Job Omuse but as the game progressed, he freely roamed behind Job.

Western Stima took the lead in the 30th minute after a defensive blunder by KCB after a pressing from Mangi who won the ball and dribbled past Dennis Omondi before placing the ball on the left bottom corner of the net.

SECOND HALF

The second half period begun on much similar note to the first. Both teams pulling the strings in midfield area but it was Western Stima’s players who came out top when it came to defensive duties. Jacob Keli together with Ezekiel Odera were tightly marked and Keli’s attempts to seek redemption deeper in midfield were in vain as he outmuscled by the combative Kevin Oluoch.

Another defensive error gave Stima the second goal of the game. The defenders seemed to have let the ball to picked by the goalkeeper Caleb Adola who also thought the defenders were going to deal with the ball and Wesley Kemboi sneaked in from behind rounded the keeper before assisting Justin Monda.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Immediately after Western Stima scored the second, James Omondi withdrew Ezekiel Odera and Brian Osumba. In their places, Geoffrey Maina and Clifford Alwanga were introduced. They maintained a 4-4-2 system for a while. But it was clear that Stima were satisfied with their lead and happy sit deep and protect the lead.

Alloyce Mangi drifted wide and dropped deep to try and track KCB’s players leaving Kemboi alone as a striker. This meant it was a 4v1 at the back for KCB and more men for Stima in midfield. Peter Wainaina replaced Benjamin Chaka and KCB switched to a 3-4-3 formation in trying to control the midfield area and at least get themselves back in to the game.

Bethuel Warambo, Joseph Kangata and Dennis Omondi did spread to form the back three. The midfield four formed a diamond. Michael Oyando sat the deepest while the new player Wainaina played in the hole. Milton Milimo who had been good in advancing was pushed in to the left flank and Geoffrey Maina maintained his right flank.

Paul Mungai to the right, Clifford Alwanga to the left and the centre forward Jacob Keli formed the attacking trio.

KCB managed to control the midfield but frequent stoppages due to injuries derailed their search for a goal and in the end it was Western Stima who played their cards right.

Only one change by Stima’s change was tactical. The first was injury forced (Wesley Kemboi in for the injured Job Omuse) and the second was a direct swap (Steve Biko replaced by Ramadhan Balala).

Aloyce Mangi – a more of an attacker – was replaced by Isaac Odhiambo who moved into midfield as Henry Omino tried to have more men in that zone - a switch to a more defensive 4-5-1 formation. This worked quite well as Western Stima were able to contain KCB’s attacks.

The starting XI after all changes were made.

CONCLUSION

A fascinating tactical battle between the two bosses with Henry Omino emerging the victor. Omino was a bit lucky when it came to goals scored by his team but was clever enough to have his team play in protecting the lead by approaching the game in a more cautious way. And Kevin Oluoch was brilliant in dictating Stima’s play and protecting the back four.

James Omondi later conceded that his team lost to goals scored from their own mistakes. But in attack, KCB lacked a killer pass in the final third and Jacob Keli wasn’t fed the balls his being getting and was tightly marked by Stima’s defenders. In the end, Western Stima relished the battle and came out the overall winners.