How Ghana can beat Zambia

The Black Stars are to play the Zambian national side in their last Group D encounter in order to advance to the third and final round of the qualifiers in the African zone, to the 2014 FIFA World cup.

The game slated for Friday, 6th September, 2013 is going to be a tough one for the Black Stars who are favorites to qualify.

Though the Chipolopolo’s may be a strong side, the Black Stars ahead of the cagey encounter have got an upper hand, topping the statistical index ahead of this game.

To the Zambians the Stars need to employ a strategy that would be good defensively and in attack like the 4-4-1-1 formation in order to beat their Zambian opponents.

The 4-4-1-1 formation is an adaptable system that gives teams’ strength in midfield and plenty of width. The role of central midfielders and full-backs, particularly, can change depending on how much emphasis a team is putting on defense or offense.

The system 4-4-1-1 is going to be effective for Kwesi Appiah’s side because it can be adapted based on whether the team is setting out to attack or defend.

It is common in this system to have one striker playing high up the field capable of holding the ball up and laying it off for the oncoming midfielders, or a more nimble striking partner like Majeed Waris, who would be deployed as a withdrawn striker capable of running on to balls and finishing chances but with his absence Asamoah Gyan should be in that role, as he feels comfortable combining both creative and goal scoring abilities. And this is evident because, he's scored 6 goals in his last 4 games (i stand to be corrected) for the Black Stars in that role.

The withdrawn striker, capable of playing in the 'hole' (the area behind the main striker) would also use his creative skills to set up those around him, primarily his strike partner which I would prefer Mahatma Otoo.

Whichever front two combinations Appiah chooses to field, the player who is not a big target man or a withdrawn creative player, is likely to be a goal scorer, with the nose to sniff out score chances in and around the penalty area.

In this formation, the main striker would not lack support as he has four players including the withdrawn striker whose job would be to set him up. If the players behind the main striker on the day are of genuine quality, the formation can be a dream for the striker as he should receive plenty of balls into the penalty area, making the Zambian defense porous and posing more trouble for them to contain.

It is important to note that the front-man on the day becomes a strong physical specimen as, regardless of the support from midfield, he will need to hold off strong defenders like Mbola as he looks to carve out chances for himself or teammates.

In the middle of the field the system would allow Kwesi Appiah’s side to have one defensive midfielder and another whose job is to get forward and join the strikers in the penalty area.

A huge burden will be placed on the central midfield to augment defense and attack, so Rabiu Mohammed and any other selected midfield partner roles are going to be key.

The complexity of this position will be such that Rabiu Mohammed has to sit just behind the centre circle and will be primarily required by Kwesi Appiah to break down Zambian's attacks and beef up the defense when the team is on the back foot and act as an extra member of the defense.

 Now to complement the efforts of Rabiu Mohammed in the middle, a true all-rounder that plays at both ends of the field, literally filling in everywhere will be needed. Usually in possession of exceptional stamina with remarkable defensive and offensive skills, Agyemang Badu should be an option here.

However, whenever we want to surprise our opponents, the midfielders can take turns in going forward. With five men attacking I bet you it’s going to be difficult for the Zambians to keep up with as it’s going to be hard to pick up advancing midfielders who are making late runs into the box, or passing the ball between them to make space.

The winger's prime responsibility on the day would be to take on the Zambian full-backs and get the ball into the strikers. They can also cut inside and pass to teammates but if they are instructed to cross the ball by their coach, they would have to do so from a wide position.

However having a winger like Christian Atsu or Solomon Asante would be a plus to the team because they both have the ability to beat opposing defenders before crossing into the penalty area for the strikers and advancing midfielders, thus making the defense more vulnerable.

When on the back foot, it would be imperative that the wingers support the full-backs, or there is a risk that, that flank could be badly exposed especially when you have a full back who likes to surge forward like Samuel Inkoom.

It is going to be the job of the full-backs to defend against opposition attackers, particularly wingers like Chisamba Lungu. It is important that they stop the supply line for the striker, so must be strong and careful with their tackles.

The onus is on the two wing-backs to make regular forays forward and give the team attacking width.

The team's full-backs can also be a major attacking weapon. A full-back with pace, power and good crossing ability such as Harrison Afful is going to be a real asset on the flank as Ghana can pull Zambia’s players wide and provide ammunition for strikers.

Often when the Black Stars have a corner, the full-backs need to remain near the half-way line in case the opposition launches a rapid counterattack. This is because the central defenders will likely be up for the corner because of their height, while the full-backs can use their pace to foil the counterattack.

At the heart of defence the center-backs would be expected to repel the attacks of the opposing team, primarily by tackling and heading the ball out of the danger zone. The center-backs could adopt the zonal marking, man marking or even both form of marking under Kwesi Appiahs instruction.

The central defence of the Stars requires strength, bravery, concentration and an ability to read the game on the day because Rainford Kalaba and Katongo can be tough customers.

While their teammates' passing may be expansive, they generally need to keep things simple, distributing short passes.

They need to "shepherd" or channel opposition attackers into narrower or more crowded avenues of approach.

It is also imperative that together with the fullbacks, they implement an effective offside trap when necessary.

Meanwhile with the return of John Boye from injury the team is set to have a strong defensive pair.

As the last line of defence, whoever keeps the post must be able to make quick, athletic saves, be well composed and have good vision (ability to see build-up play ahead to others or ability to see a pass or awareness of players around his box).

If the Black Stars play with composure the formation will ensure good strength in numbers when defending as well as attacking, and makes it hard for the Chipolopolo’s to counterattack.

All Ghanaians look forward to Kwesi Appiah’s side to make it to the next round come September.