Grant's 3 point plan to beat DRC

The Black Stars of Ghana will face the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a quarter final clash at the ongoing AFCON in Gabon on Sunday. Florent Ibenge's side have been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament,boast of the top scorer,Junior Kalonji Kabananga and held the defending champions Cote d'Ivoire in their group C clash. Avram Grant's team on the other hand qualified with mixed perfomances and enter the game without captain and top scorer Asamoah Gyan.The encounter will be the 16th between the two teams with the most recent encounter at the AFCON in 2013,during which Ghana threw away a two goal lead to draw with the Leopards on their way to a fourth place finish. How to...

1.Find a way to halt DRC's wing attack

Florent Ibenge has at his disposal some of the best wingers in the tournament and he has alternated them well to achieve maximum damage. His strategy revolves around the speed and power of Kabanaga from the left and the skill and guile of Mubele on the left while his two full backs are a constant presence in the attacking third of opponents. If his first choice of flyers fail,he can call upon the extravagant skills of Charlton Athletic's Jordan Botaka as back up. Avram Grant's full backs have not enjoyed the best of tournaments and will need to maintain high concentration levels throughout the game to stifle the Leopards threat.He will also need to have his own wingers Atsu and Jordan Ayew at their very best to press high on the pitch as a first line of defence.

2. Move Wakaso up the pitch

The midfielder has been one of Ghana's best national performers over the past four years and his best games have come not as a deep lying player but as an offensive lethario. Wakaso's best assets are his boundless energy and incredible shooting power. Grant's reliance on him as his deep midfield conductor has taken away from the team's offensive potency leading to fewer shots on goal. Wakaso's scoring ratio has dropped 65% since his position was changed by Grant. Without Gyan,Grant needs to move Wakaso higher up the pitch where his tenacity and presence can help keep the DRC backline busy whilst also allowing him chances to test the erratic Ley Matampi. His position in midfield can be taken up by Afriyie Acquah who can partner Partey in the dual pivot formation that Grant favours.

3. Avoid a physical game

The Leopards enjoy a good tussle on the pitch and it is easy to see why considering the impressive physical attributes of their team. From captain Zakuani and Mbemba to Kabanaga and Bolingi,the DRC boast players of height and power compared to the Black Stars who are a much smaller team. Grant must avoid the temptation to turn the game into a test of power and rather focus on keeping the ball on the pitch and playing smartly to frustrate his opponents. DRC will win a  battle of set pieces and fouls and the Black Stars must stick to a patient passing game to frustrate their opponents.