North Africa’s single pivot 4–3–3
Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez’s tactical revolution took the English Premier League by storm in 2004, both adding to their domestic and European titles. Mourinho’s introduction of the 4–3–3 in particular had other English teams unable to cope with his side as most were still accustomed to the old-fashioned dual striker 4–4–2. A 4–3–3 differs from another 4–3–3 however. The players in midfield could have different styles of play, a deep lying play-maker in front of the defence is different from a ball retriever. A pressing oriented right sided midfielder isn’t similar to a wing oriented player who overloads the right channel. The striker and wingers also factor in, whether it’s a target man or a false nine. A winger who hugs the touchline or another who creates space for the overlapping full back. Multiple combinations differ according to the style of play. Hence why the same fielded system could differ despite having the same shape.
In 2019 the African Cup of Nations have seen different styles but the 4–2–3–1 and the 4–4–1–1 shapes dominated, mainly playing with a double pivot. Three teams however featured a single pivot 4–3–3 system, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
Morocco
Managed by Herve Renard — the only manager to win the African Cup of Nations with two different teams — Morocco entered the competition as one of the favorites to win with star players such Hakim Ziyech, Medhi Benatia and Achraf Hakimi. Morocco started their campaign in the unlucky match slot of the day, the 4.30 kick-off. Weather hasn’t been helping the players with temperature rising to late 30s. They fielded a single pivot system with Youssef Ait Bennasser, Mehdi Bourabia, Mbark Boussoufa in midfield while Ziyech and Nordin Amrabat flanked Youssef En-Nesyri upfront.
Throughout the first half Ziyech overloaded the opposite wing — a feature of his Ajax side this season — trying to escape the markers and be free to create. The theory was well established but in practice Morocco didn’t impress. Ziyech had a couple of shots on target but the Namibian keeper saved them without busting a sweat. Renard realized the lack of chances and moved Ziyech centrally next to Boussoufa by introducing Sofiane Boufal instead of Bourabia. This change freed Ziyech while also presenting Namibia with another problem on the wing in Boufal. Ziyech in the center dictated play better and was near to opening the scoreline. He dribbled past the Namibian defence in-front of the D but his deflected shot was saved by a quick reaction from the goalie Lloyd Kazapua.
Boufal’s addition helped Morocco but they only created half chances throughout the second half. He however managed to get a free kick in the dying minutes which Ziyech crossed and bizarrely found its way into the net through Itamunua Keimuine. The unfortunate suspect has just been subbed in eight minutes earlier and he was the player who fouled Boufal. Adding insult to injury he got a yellow card by the end of stoppage time.
Morocco’s 4–3–3 could be in theory effective but the performance against Namibia was far from impressive. Amrabat didn’t add any wing threat throughout the game, while the full backs Nabil Dirar and Achraf Hakimi lacked the needed width to stretch the Namibian defence. More is needed from the Moroccan side if they want to bypass Côte d’Ivoire in their next game on Friday.
Tunisia
Tunisia haven’t been riding their luck lately in recent AFCONs, most notably getting knocked out on goal difference in the 2013 version and the refereeing fiasco in 2015 as referee Rajindraparsad Seechurn gave the hosts Equatorial Guinea a non existing penalty in the last minutes of the game.
In Suez, they faced an Angolan side with another single pivot 4–3–3 system. Same shape but a completely different style of play than Morocco. Here the dynamic front three of Naim Sliti, Youssef Msakni and Wahbi Khazri created spaces for each other and midfield runners to invade the Angolan defence. A chance in the second minute showcased their ideas perfectly as Khazri dropped and dummied a pass from midfield for the onrushing Sliti who now occupied Khazri’s position. Sliti hesitated in-front of goal and denied Tunisia from the opener.
Tunisia faded after the early chance though, and Sliti and Msakni sporadically occupied the vacated position by Khazri. This was also not helped by Angola’s dynamic 4–4–1–1 and their excellent occupation of vertical lines enabled by their 3–1 build up and the progression upfield of right back Bruno Gaspar.
By the end of the half Tunisia improved as Sliti and Msakni improved their movements. One of those resulted in a penalty through which Msakni opened the scoring. Msakni dropped deep in midfield creating a huge space on the left side which Ellyes Skhiri exploited with a third man run. Msakni passed the ball to Wajdi Kechrida who found the onrushing Skhiri. Skhiri then played the ball horizontally for Khazri whose run attracted Angola’s left back Paizo leaving Sliti completely free. Khazri dummied the ball leaving it for Sliti who managed to get a penalty. Msakni scored but the second half was to be forgotten for the Tunisian side.
Lack of runs and composure left them in a static display. Angola meanwhile changed things at half time, Srdjan Vasiljevic dropped Fredy from upfront into the midfield two which allowed for better ball progression through the center of the pitch. They created little chances, but they were in control of the second half and Fredy’s presence in the center created the equalizer.
A different style of play to their neighbors Morocco but a similarity in the underwhelming performance. Their next opponent are Mali who impressed against Mauritania particularly FC Porto’s striker Moussa Marega. A tough task awaits Alain Giresse, and this time it might not be bad luck if the Tunisians don’t improve their display.
Algeria
Algeria’s record of a single AFCON trophy in 1990 doesn’t live up to their standards as a footballing country. In 2019, led by Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, they are searching for the second in Egypt where they endured a bit of a rough time during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Another 4–3–3 with yet a different flavor. This time it’s a target man in Baghdad Bounedjah. One thing that helped Mourinho’s 4–3–3 immensely was that he afforded a striker that could worry both center backs. Bounedjah did the same against Kenya empowered by a smooth build up on both sides with the full backs Youcef Atal and Ramy Bensebaini combining with the midfield and the wingers.
The other option for ball progression for Algeria was long balls behind Kenya’s full backs and that is where Bounedjah excelled. He timed his moves into that space excellently and his hold up play was even better. The striker allowed Algeria a direct route into the final third on the wings.
Bounedjah’s aerial contribution continued as he flicked the ball for an onrushing Sofiane Feghouli getting two Kenyan defenders out of the game. Feghouli played Youcef Belaili whose powerful shot wasn’t well directed enough towards the corner of the goal.
The fullbacks inclusion in the attacking phase resulted in a penalty for the Algerians. Atal pushed forward from the right side and was tackled in the penalty area when he tried to dribble inside. Bounedjah stepped up and calmly slotted it into the back of the net. The second goal however was the one that epitomized the advantage of this 4–3–3. Ismael Bennacer combined with Belaili in the left channel leaving Kenya’s right back helpless, he then squared the ball back for Mahrez. Mahrez who was completely free near the penalty spot because Feghouli’s run towards the far post attracted Kenya’s left winger. The City player’s deflected shot technically finished the game as Algeria went two up at half time. The Algerians cooled down in the second half and cruised into a well deserved win.
The north African teams played the same system but each with a different style of play. Formations might be identical but how they are utilized on the pitch is what creates their uniqueness.
