tanzania 0 - 1 burundi

TANZANIA 0 - 1 BURUNDI: Poulsen's tactical nous tested

Burundi won a highly tactical game the Cecafa competition has produced so far. A fifty second minute penalty set them on their way to the quarter final though had to survive a second half onslaught from the resurgent Kilimanjaro stars. A second half that could have gone either side, Burundi deserve the win on account of the number of clear cut chances they created.
Poulsen kept faith in both the formation and the starting eleven that played in the game against Sudan. Burundi were a 4-3-3 with Ndikumana the pivot, later replaced by Masudi and Tambwe leading the line up front.

Midfield battle, 3 v 3:

This was a game all about who would dominate the midfield, a 3 v 3 situation as the two triangles in midfield clashed. Burundi enjoyed a 55% possession in the first half and this was largely down to three things;

1) First it had to do with the physical attributes of the Burundi players, taller compared to their opponents, and they won most of the aerial duals as both Kaseja and the centre backs were keen on playing long balls. Kaseja managed to find his teammate (Ngassa) on one occasion from the many goal kicks he took and that ended up setting up a chance that Msuva failed to convert. The centre backs looked for diagonal balls out wide to Ngassa.

2) Kazimoto opted to drop rather than press Masudi affording him time and space on the ball.

3) Technically better players. The midfield trio of Masudi, Nzingamasambo and Nduwaragira were able to find space to receive and when pressured, won fouls off the Kilimanjaro stars midfielders.

Poulsen responds:

With Burundi controlling the midfield, Poulsen had to find a solution. He responded by withdrawing Msuva and in his place came Kiemba, an attacking midfielder. This had an immediate impact on the game. He did not hug the touchline but drifted inwards towards the centre of the pitch. The midfield pendulum began to swing in Kilimanjaro stars’ favour, a 4v3 advantage in midfield. In the remaining nine minutes of the first half alone, he got on to a flick on from a throw in and had his shot saved by the keeper.
This continued into the second half enabling Kilimanjaro stars to dominate possession. His inwards runs meant three things;

1) Enabled Kilimanjaro stars to pick up the scrap balls in midfield and after aerial duals

2) As an extra man in midfield, at times playing a role of a false nine meant more options for them when attacking. Him as an extra option during the attacking phase managed to set up Ngassa for two shots on target.

3) Lastly it meant that they could press the Burundi midfield. No longer did Masudi have time on the ball and in fact Burundi for the most part stopped playing out from the back.

36th minute Kiemba came on for Msuva, positioning himself closer to the three midfielders thus creating a 4v3 situation. the knock-on effect was that Rashid had to play as a wingback.

Flanks:

In the first half, Burundi’s captain, Ndikumana received a lot of the ball down their left flank. He got into promising positions but created nothing, over hitting his crosses being the theme. It was however down the right hand side where they created their best chances through free kicks. By and large neither team managed to get the better of the other down the flanks in the first period.

With Kiemba drifting inwards and venturing forward, the knock-on effect was that Nyoni and later Rashid, had to take positions higher up the pitch effectively playing as a wingback. This helped Kilimanjaro stars as two of the three chances that fell to Bocco came when Rashid crossed into the penalty area. Were it not for poor finishing by the Burundis, Poulsen would have regretted his decision to send on Kiemba, negating all the good that it had done for his side. On three separate occasions Ndikumana managed to run straight at a central defender. The first led to a penalty after he got the better of Kapombe and the then managed to cross twice for his teammates after again getting the better of Nyoni and Rashid. This happened because Kilimanjaro stars were playing without a fullback and so he found himself head on with the nearest central defender when Rashid had pushed forward.

Conclusion:

Burundi should be proud of themselves for winning the 3v3 battle and the midfielders look well drilled in their roles. Their captain looks ominous on 1v1 situations and upcoming opponents should heed the warning. The right back seems very able to cross balls therefore should look to get down the flank and provide such service.

This was a tactical match and the second half was both tactical and entertaining. Poulsen responded by adding an extra man in midfield after falling short in the 3v3 battle. His change worked for the better so some credit should go to him for that. With title contenders, Uganda also fielding a three man midfield, it would be wise for him to ensure that his players can handle numerical equality in midfield.
It is still puzzling why Poulsen opts to start Salum Abubakar over Amri Kiemba. The latter’s verticality makes him very useful in attacks and provided in Domaya he has a defensive midfielder it makes sense to have one of the two that make up the double pivot more attack minded. If there was any doubt regarding his importance in the first eleven, then today’s game should have cleared that away.