Week 5 – The Derby

This week was particular here in Manica. The first team coaching sessions did not reach the high standards that we were used to. In fact, between Malaria, injuries and low attendance, James and I only had around 10 players to coach… A week off which might count at the beginning of the season.

In our U17’s sessions, we decided to work on the defensive side of the game. And we were not expected such struggles.. James and I literally spent two sessions trying to make them understand how to defend in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 & 4v4 situations. We kept repeating the same things over and over and over again. And by the end of the second session, one group got it, eventually. The second group was not even trying to understand and didn’t have the determination and the commitment required to progress.

We tried everything. Demonstrations, explanations, gestures, slow motion plays, none of them worked as it was supposed to. More than once during these two sessions, James and I looked at each other like “How is that even possible?” or “What on earth should I do to make them understand ?”. Always attracted by the ball, we had to explain that only the closest to the ball has to press. Others only have one job : cover the free space behind their back. Anyway, these two sessions were absolutely frustrated for us coaches.

On Saturday, a football match was planned between our U17’s and the Futeco 5-a-side teams. James and I decided to play against our players. Turns out that was a good decision at the end but trust me we were afraid of playing bad and losing our credibility as coaches. We won 4-2 at the end but we should have scored many more goals. I had 4 good attempts and one free-kick, should have scored at least one. James scored once in the second half but missed a couple of good opportunities in the first half. Armando was still recovering from his Malaria episode so I ended up playing as a number 8 in the midfield. I’m fine with that position, even if it’s not my best, but the system we played in didn’t suit our team in my opinion. Our formation was a basic 4-4-2. However, the space between the two strikers and the midlfield was too big to be fully covered. That’s why I would never play any of my future teams in that system. To be honest, if our U17’s team would have been more clinical in the last third and better positioned defensively, they would have won that game.

But the best moment of this fun match happened in the second half. As you know, two others Europeans visitors are here to help in the Community, Jake and Kinvara. We found out a couple of weeks ago that Jake was a Spurs fan. He is now a good friend and unfortunately leaving soon Manica. Our match kit was an old Arsenal in the Community shirt and Jake had to wear it. That’s already fun. But in the middle of the game, I’m on the right side of the pitch, control the ball and turn quickly to have the perfect view of my partner’s runs. Turns out that on the left side, Jake and Pingy, the first team headcoach, are in a situation of a 2v1. I immediately pass the ball into the space to Jake and then it happens.. Jake take a touch and shoot straight away. Crossbar. Almost the perfect shot. Jake is known for not being the better football player in the world and he knows it as well. As the crowd goes mad, I realized the fun side of the situation. I quote him after the game “that would have been the goal of my life”. A Tottenham fan in an Arsenal in The Community, surrounded by Arsenal coaches, almost scored the goal of his life assisted by an Arsenal fan. Life is full of surprises. Football is something else. I would remember that moment forever I think.

#Mozambique