Civil Service United beat debutants FOMO FC 1-0 on Sunday courtesy of Emmanuel Saviel’s 31st minute strike.
A win helped the Servants to dislodge FOMO FC on 11th, thanks to their superior goal-difference as both are tied on six points with two wins from five games.
After watching them playing at Civo Stadium last Sunday, the Atlas took time for a review of the game where we discovered some similar issues hindering their performance since the start of 2024 season.
LEADERSHIP ON FIELD:
Both Civil Service United and FOMO FC are lacking experienced players lead fellow players on the pitch. The Servants have their captain Moses Banda who is still young.
With little leadership knowledge he was just quiet even when the team was struggling in the second half. During the game, some youngsters were too casual, they need some few experienced guys, capable of reading situations, who can offer advice to youngsters and encourage them when they are down.
As for FOMO, their only experienced player is Wally Gondwe who was at Tigers last season where he was a regular benchwarmer. They really need those who can stand the heat of even playing away, on rugh surfaces and in front of the huge crowd.
MIDFIELD STRUGGLES:
The midfield often considered the engine of a team, and we witnessed both teams facing its share of challenges. The ability to control the flow of the game, transition from defense to attack, and provide creative opportunities had been inconsistent, affecting overall performance of the teams.
For instance, the attacking midfielder of Civil Service United Festus Duwe created five chances from the Central midfield but three of those were half chances and none resulted into any goal. Clear cut chances were scarce. For the part of FOMO, there was no clear cut chances from midfield duo of Sherrif Maida and Christopher Phiri, a clear indication of how both teams struggled at the centre.
INEFFECTIVENESS IN FINAL THIRD:
While both teams showed glimpse of attacking potential, but they were unable to register more goals. The team’s forwards and midfielders struggled to score goals from few chances that were created.
The servants had a total of 15 crosses into the box, with Lovemore Mbeta having more deliveries (8) and one of it ended into their goal. Looking at most of Civil Service United players are shot so using more aerial balls, affects effectiveness of their front players. A passing game could be the best alternative for their Strikers to excel.
But for FOMO FC, they have a lot of home work to do as their wings looked dead. Their midfield and wing back positions are also major problems, they simply don’t have the players who can switch defense in a fluid.
OVER-RELIANCE ON INDIVIDUALS:
It seems Civo Service United are growing much of their trust on Emmanuel Saviel who is playing on loan from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. The junior Flames forward has already found the back of the net three times in five matches.
Stats shows that the team is relying much on Saviel who was involved in 90% of Civil’s atfack. Out of a total Civil’s 11 attempts on target, Saviel had 5 and only 1 from his twin striker China Chirwa. Out of 15 crosses delivered in the box he won 5 of those. He was the only player with more threats to FOMO FC goal.
The same applies to FOMO, they have been relying much on Centre back, captain Chimwemwe Nyoni to do all the marking and clearances at the back. With the team struggling to attack, this guy had been solid at the back, rescuing his team from an embarrassment yesterday. Nyoni won 9 aerial duel’s more than any other player on field.
KICK AND RUSH:
Another biggest problem from these two teams was their kick and rush type of football. They had little time to pass the ball but spent much of the time pouncing high balls forward. There was no time when a team completed six successive passes in the entire match. This affected creativity and the excitement of the game.
