WEEK 4 TACTICAL REVIEW – Nkana V Zesco United

By: Franklyn Malambo

Following their meeting a few weeks ago in the Charity Shield, the teams were expected to know Much more about each other and as such prepare adequately for the more meaningful League encounter.

Nkana Lined up in a Basal 4-4-2 Diamond and Went 4-2-4 in possession attack and 4-4-1-1 in defensive instances. Movement when off the ball employing a quick short passing game with one of the 2 strikers coming deep to collect and draw a center back in to create space for the other striker and progressive wide man to run into. Nkana also employed very quick off the ball movement and extra men to receive the ball off the man in possession, at any particular time there were at least 2 players expecting to receive the ball and as such no shortage of options.

On the opposite end, Zesco United played in a more Conservative basal formation of 4-2-3-1, a 3-4-3 formation in attack whenever on the ball progressing forward and a compact and solid looking 5-3-1-1 when defending.

Zesco United were looking to Use Kapumbu as basic outlet on the Left with the only other Variation being a long high ball to Jesse Were to knock down in the Path of Mbombo, Davy Daka or Lazarous Kambole.

ATTACK

Nkana were very mobile and Much quicker off the blocks from the onset, with only Malama remaining at the base of the Midfield allowing Muwowo, Musonda and Ngulube to move forward. They dominated the Zesco United central midfield which only had Chaila and Mtonga as permanent presence.

Nkana avoided the wide areas knowing they would not get much Joy through the flanks manned by Musekwa and Kapumbu. To their credit, they utilized the space left behind by Kapumbu to push an extra man in that channel left behind and got both their goals off the same spaces.

There was also a high ball over the top on occasion as the Zesco United defense played a high line and gave chance and room for Nkana to play and get more of a sight of the Zesco goal.  Had they been Much more alert and aware, they would have breached the Zesco United offside trap and probably scored more.

Good Variation on their set pieces too

ZESCO UTD

Slow build Ups in own half and were looking to use Daka and Kambole’s pace in wide areas after attracting Nkana to the ball. Realizing the possibility of being denied the ball and space, on occasion Zesco tried to rely on improvisation  and   individual brilliance as shown by Daka’s goal.

Kapumbu’s flank was used frequently to try and create overloads on the left flank as he would make Kambole go in and add numbers centrally. Mtonga was always on hand to make the late run into the box to feed off any crumbs that fell off the main attackers

DEFENSE

NKANA

Pressed high and gave little space to Zesco United to play and as such struggled to cope with the high press. The Right and Left Backs did not frequently make forward forays as may be expected and at most times Nkana had at least 3 and at most 5 in the base line of defense.

Donashano Malama’s positioning was exceptional centrally and pulled back Ngulube, Musonda and Muwowo whenever need arose. Played most of the ball from the back and their ball retention was excellent as such limiting United’s chance on the ball. It is often said that a good way to defend through sustained possession football.

A disciplined performance by their Central defenders albeit one Lapse when Mbombo got through and shot at Malunga’s ball off which the penalty call came.

ZESCO

Measured same paced performance from start to finish. Operated on 5 at the back whenever retreating and looked to play Much closer to each other to reduce the spaces between and still play a high line which allows for recovery and makes it a little harder for opposition to reach the Goal scoring area.

On occasion they had all outfield players behind the ball with Mbombo Putting Pressure on the ball and Were applying the squeeze on the space to the man providing nearest option for a pass. Their closing down of space and ball was poor hence Nkana getting a lot of balls to wide channels and even through the midfield.

They were bailed out mostly by the offside trap but caught up twice on both Nkana goals.

Kapumbu’s Flank may be the weakest point for Zesco as he left space and may not have the legs to be perfect every week as shown by the second goal they conceded.

TRANSITION

Upon losing the ball, Nkana pressed high from the Top and closed down spaces in Pressure Zone. Upon winning it they looked for Kampamba as outlet and played the occasional diagonal ball for Musonda or Muwowo to run on to.

Conversely, Zesco had low   press in opposing half and only high in their own half. They were reactive but explosive in wide areas through Daka and Kambole except they did not do it often as may have been desired. Got back well into their shape immediately after losing it.

SUBSTITUTES

In My book, the 3 Substitutes are to

1. Change direction of the game.
2. Add fuel to the fire. Taking advantage of a spell and pressure.
3. Close the Shop-Happy with state of affairs and kill off the game. On this account;

I think Nkana used their Subs better than Zesco United on the day.