Khan speaks soccer formations
JOBURG – Farouk Khan, a legend of the game and outstanding coach, explains the complex issue of formations in the game of football.
The 2017 Carling Black Label Champion Cup has given Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fans much more to think about this year ahead of the showpiece clash scheduled for 29 July at the FNB Stadium.
Aside from selecting their starting lineup, champion coaches (chosen from fans) have also had to choose the formation they believe will give their team the advantage and best chance of victory. There are many factors to consider, not least which formation best suits the particular attributes of the players in each squad.
Read: Strategy is the name of the game in Champion Cup
Farouk Khan is recognised as one of the most astute and respected coaches in South Africa, developing top names for Bafana Bafana through his Stars of African Academy. Current Kaizer Chiefs left-back Sibusiso Khumalo and former Orlando Pirates forward Tokelo Rantie are two of the many players he has groomed during the course of his career.
Khan believes that while formations are obviously vital for coaches in terms of setting up how they want to play, they are not effective unless you have the right players for each specific position, and that is something champion coaches should think about.
Furthermore, Khan believes that 4-3-3, which has become popular throughout the world, is best used when you have quick wingers. Only a handful of South African teams tend to play this formation, current Absa Premiership Champions Bidvest Wits being one, and it is not usually adopted by Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs and Pirates both tend to play a 4-2-3-1, or slight modification thereof. “This requires two strong holding midfielders, but one to go a bit further forward and another to shield the backline. It allows for quick transitions and that is why it is popular,” Khan said.
“So in the case of Chiefs, you have a Willard Katsande to break up the play and George Maluleka, who also plays that anchor role, but joins the attack more. For Pirates it is similar, though they have been a little less adventurous. Issa Sarr and Abbubaker Mobara tend to sit in front of the defence more.”
This system allows both teams to have their attacking players join the lone striker when they have the ball. “Chiefs have changed their striker in recent games, they can play Bernard Parker or Gustavo Paez, but then they have an attacking threat from Siphiwe Tshabalala, George Lebese and one of William Twala, Joseph Molangoane and Hendrik Ekstein who also join the attack, all of whom are very skillful players.
“Pirates are the same, they have either Tendai Ndoro or Thamsanqa Gabuza up front. But sitting behind are three attacking midfielders – Oupa Manyisa, Thabo Rakhale and then a guy like Luvoyo Memela or Riyaad Norodien.”
But Khan still believes 4-4-2 is the best formation in terms of a balance between attack and defence. “4-4-2 is the most balanced system because at any given time you have the whole field covered. You then have an out-and-out striker as a focal point for attacks, and a false striker who plays behind him as a link man.”
Khan also cautions against more risky formations such as 3-5-2, where you need players with a particular skill-set to pull it off.
“Playing three at the back is always risky. Chelsea pulled it off this year because they have players with the physicality and speed. Not all teams have that. I don’t think it would suit Chiefs or Pirates.”
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