https://www.myjoyonline.com/address-black-stars-first-half-challenges-augustine-ahinful-tells-otto-addo/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/address-black-stars-first-half-challenges-augustine-ahinful-tells-otto-addo/

Former Ghana international Augustine Ahinful has advised Black Stars head coach Otto Addo to resolve the challenges with the team's first-half performances.

Since taking over the team for a second stint, the Black Stars have been in the lead at halftime just once (vs. Uganda) while the team has trailed in the remaining three games.

Against Mali (1-2 win) and Central African Republic (4-3 win) in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Ghana had to come from behind to pick up all three points after losing at halftime.

The team also fell behind at the break in the first game following Addo's return to the national team against Nigeria.

According to Ahinful, such first-half performances and results cannot continue as he charges the head coach to find a solution.

"The two games that we played (vs Mali and vs CAR), we had two different halves. If I say two different halves, it means that in the first half, our performance is different compared to what we do in the second half," he said.

"In the future, I hope that we can begin with the second-half performance that we have observed in the last two games. Some of the countries, when we go behind it might be difficult for us to come back.

"Like the coach said, we should blame him for the performance of the first half; not that he made any mistake but he probably overthought what he wanted to do. So his approach in the first half has always been different compared to what we have in the second - in Mali, it happened and in Kumasi, it happened."

He added that there is enough talent in the squad and that should be used to the advantage of the team.

"I hope that we open up more and have believe in ourselves because there is talent always but it's about how to blend the talent together to have a good team," he continued.

The Black Stars will be back in action in September 2024 when the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations begin.

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