Online Reporter
Lovemore Chikova-Deputy Editor
STATISTICS from the DR Congo’s opening match in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea should give Warriors coach Ramon Catala an idea of the best tactics for his team to emerge victors at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow night.
In the DRC’s 2-0 victory, Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa scored.
The Central Africans had 58 percent possession and 16 shots, showing that Zimbabwe will need to defend intelligently rather than simply sit deep.
Here are 10 things which the Warriors must do to beat the DRC:
1. Stop Wissa from receiving the ball in dangerous areas
Wissa is arguably the most immediate threat. Apart from scoring in the DRC’s opening qualifier, he has been in strong form for Newcastle United.
If the Warriors intend to neutralise him, their central defenders should not allow him to receive the ball, turn and run at them. The answer is not necessarily man-marking him everywhere; instead, the Warriors should deny him space between the midfield and defence and ensure that whoever is nearest to him applies immediate pressure.
2. Do not underestimate Noah Sadiki and Theo Bongonda
Sadiki and Bongonda give the DRC alternative attacking options. They can occupy central defenders and create space for Wissa and the wide players. Warriors defenders must, therefore, avoid being drawn towards one attacker and leaving another unmarked.
3. Keep an eye on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku
Wan-Bissaka and Masuaku give the DRC considerable attacking quality from the full-back positions. Both can push forward and create overloads on the wings.
The DRC’s squad also contains experienced defenders such as Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe. The Warriors’ wide players must be prepared to track the full-backs, particularly when they lose possession.
4. Attack the space behind the DRC’s full-backs
This could be one of Zimbabwe’s biggest opportunities. If Wan-Bissaka and Masuaku push high, the Warriors should immediately look for Tawanda Chirewa, Bill Antonio, Daniel Msendami or Tawanda Maswanhise running into the spaces they leave behind. Rather than making five or six passes before attacking, the Warriors should sometimes go forward with two or three quick passes.
5. Use Marshall Munetsi as the engine of the midfield
Munetsi can be particularly important because he can contribute both defensively and offensively. He should help the Warriors win second balls, break up the DRC’s attacks and then drive forward when the opportunity arises. His performance alongside Marvelous Nakamba and Andy Rinomhota could determine whether Zimbabwe can compete in midfield. Munetsi and Chirewa were both influential in the Warriors’ opening qualifier against Sierra Leone, which they won 3-2.
6. Do not try to dominate possession for its own sake
The DRC showed against Equatorial Guinea that they are comfortable having the ball. They had 58 percent possession and 16 shots in that match. The Warriors do not need to win the possession statistics. They should be comfortable allowing the DRC to have possession in harmless areas before pressing aggressively when the ball enters midfield or the wide areas.
7. Counter-attack immediately after winning the ball
This should be a major part of the Warriors’ game plan. Once they recover possession, the first thought should be: Can we attack before the DRC reorganise? Chirewa and Antonio have the pace and mobility to exploit this approach, while Msendami and Maswanhise can also provide options higher up the pitch. The Warriors should avoid winning the ball and then immediately passing backwards unless necessary.
8. Make set pieces count
Against a physically strong and experienced opponent, the Warriors may not create 10 clear scoring opportunities. Corners, free-kicks and long throws could, therefore, become important. Catala should have two or three rehearsed corner routines, including one designed to create space for Munetsi, Munashe Garananga, Divine Lunga or another strong aerial player.
9. Press intelligently rather than continuously
The Warriors should not chase the DRC around the pitch for 90 minutes. Instead, they can use triggered pressing, for example, pressing when the DRC plays a backward pass, when a defender receives the ball facing his own goal or when the ball goes towards the touchline. That can force mistakes without exhausting the Warriors.
10. Start aggressively, but remain disciplined
The home crowd at the National Sports Stadium should be used as an advantage. The Warriors should begin with intensity and try to put the DRC under pressure during the opening 15 to 20 minutes.
But there is an important difference between aggression and recklessness. They cannot afford an early defensive error and then chase the game against a side with this much individual quality.
