Nairobi United seek to address costly defensive lapses

Speaking after atheir latest league outing against APS Bomet which ended in a 2-1 defeat, Oduor said his team controlled the match but failed to convert dominance into positive results due to avoidable mistakes in defence.

The former defender noted that while Nairobi United has shown steady improvement in attack and midfield organisation, defensive errors have undermined otherwise solid performances.

“If you look at most of the goals we have conceded, they are not coming from sustained pressure, they are coming from moments where we switch off, poor marking, or lack of concentration, and at this level you get punished,” Oduor explained.

He added: “Our build-up play and chance creation have improved, and I’m happy with how we are playing going forward, but football is about balance. You cannot score two goals and then concede three because of simple mistakes,” he said.

Oduor revealed that the coaching staff has already begun working closely with defenders during training sessions, with an emphasis on communication, positioning, and game management.

“We are addressing it on the training ground. Defending is not just about the back four. It starts from the front, from how we press and how quickly we recover our shape when we lose the ball,” he stated.

The tactician also urged his players to take greater responsibility during crucial moments of matches, particularly in the closing stages.

Despite the setbacks, Oduor remained optimistic about his squad’s potential, insisting that ironing out defensive weaknesses could significantly improve their results in the coming fixtures.

“The positives are there. Once we cut out these errors, I believe this team will be very competitive and start getting the results our performances deserve,” he concluded.

Nairobi United will be hoping the defensive adjustments pay off as they prepare for their next league assignment away against Bandari on February 15, with consistency now a key target for the remainder of the season.