Goran identifies midfield as key battle ground

Goran Stevanovic believes that Saturday's clash against Mali is a match between two experienced sides.

With both sides are level on points in Group D, with either side aware that a win would put them in the quarter-finals of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

Stevanovic is anticipating a tough game in midfield as he rates the Malians very highly.

“Both teams are experienced enough and know how to play. We always play to win but respect our opponents. We have our goals and believe in ourselves, our work and our quality," Ghana coach, Goran Stevanovic said on Thursday.

“We have great desire to make the people in Ghana happy and I hope tomorrow after the game we would rejoice together."

Having sounded his intent to ring changes in his team, Stevanovic explains that his planned changes is to cope with the strength of the opposition.

“Team depends on the opponent and their quality. We have to improve our style of the game. We need to create more opportunities to score, to use wingers and I think some of that would be our style for tomorrow," he said.

“They have a strong middle. They play football and are technically very good. Skillful players and I think maybe tomorrow in the middle would be the decisive aspect of the final score."