How Ernst got it spot-on…
After TS Galaxy’s win against Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon, Kaizer Chiefs were presented with a chance to make the Nedbank Cup final when they squared up against Clinton Larsen’s resurgent Chippa United side. How did the teams set up their formations? Which players caused problems for the opposition? Soccer Laduma looks at the tactics behind Amakhosi’s win.
Minutes 45-63
Chippa made a double sbubstitution at half-time. Larsen took off Nsabiyumva and Malama, who were both having off games, and introduced Tebogo Makobela and Ruzaigh Gamildien. Nsabiyumva was not dealing well with such intense closing down and stopped even trying to find a teammate and instead looked to clear every time the ball came near him
The double change frorced a reorganisation of positioons as Macheke moved to centre -back, Makobela played right back, Lentjies dropped deeper in midfield and Gamildien played as a left winger. Mbenyane and Rakhale both played narrow in the space around Katsande to free up Makobela’s raids – he oftenplayed as a winger for Jomo Cosmos and is well attuned to getting forward
Middendorp’s side started on the front foot in the seconnd half seeing Zuma, Maluleka and d Parker all fire off shots. The former was growing in stature and presence and causing big problems for Chippa by exploiting the space vacated at left back when Tlolane ventured forward. Chippa looked more dangerous with Makobela raiding from m deep to support Rakhale, and Lentjies offered creative passing from deeper, moving the ball much more sharply than Malamma had
managed. Tlolane was taking more risks and his burst into the final third created a half-chance for Manzini. After 62 minutes, Katsande found Billiat in the box, but the Zimbabwean put his shot wide of the post from a clear-cut opening, much to the frustration of Middendorp. Amakhosi have had issues all season in killing games off when chances present themselves.
Minutes 64-73:
During this period, Chippa scored twice, exposing Chiefs’ unnatural left back, Teenage Hadebe. After a slow start to the second half when Chiefs could have made the game safe by scoring a second goal, Chippa came to life. First, Rakhale dragged Hadebe in-field to make space for Makobela to attack. The substitute got past Dax in the wide area and put in a perfect cross for Mbenyane to head home. Chiefs had lost defensive shape for that goal. Daniel Cardoso ended up further left than Hadebe, who found himself in the middle of the defence. Just seven minutes later, Larsen’s side took the lead when Hadebe’s headed clearance fell to Rakhale on the right wing and his low, driven cross gave Lerato Manzini a closerange finish. Hadebe was not looking comfortable defensively and unsure of his positioning. However, Makobela’s raids were giving Billiat acres of space and he continued to excel by running at opponents on the break. At 2-1 up, Chippa would surely protect their lead by defending in greater numbers or adding fresh legs? Larsen instead made no alterations.
Minutes 74 to fulltime:
In the final period of the game, Chiefs staged a thrilling comeback. Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya was introduced for Hadebe at left back and straight away he reinforced that area and made runs forward to occupy Makobela in defensive areas. Chiefs’ leveller came when Katsande won the ball with determination and Zuma picked up the loose ball and found Dax in the box to convert. The Malagasy midfielder had seven shots in the game and constantly made forays into the final third, linking especially well with Billiat. Katsande had a hand in the third goal too, winning a header, picking up the loose ball and sliding a pass to Billiat. The latter found Parker in the box and he finished well after excellent movement. Billiat made it 4-2 in the 87th minute, giving little time for Chippa to turn things around, even with Rhulani Manzini replacing Lentjies as an extra striker. Middendorp’s final change saw Maluleka withdrawn for Reeve Frosler. This was a straight swap positionally, with the former Bidvest Wits man slotting into midfield for the final minutes.