{
  "id": 11145127,
  "title": "Black Stars lost psychological battle at half time – The Gambia coach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/black-stars-lost-psychological-battle-at-half-time-the-gambia-coach",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T08:07:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/black-stars-lost-psychological-battle-at-half-time-the-gambia-coach/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's technical team believed they had lost the psychological battle at half-time in their 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. Johnny McKinstry, the Gambian coach, said he could hear heated words between Ghana players in the tunnel after the first half, indicating the Scorpions had regained psychological control. McKinstry stressed that his team entered the second half with greater confidence as they had remained calm after falling 2-0 behind, expecting Ghana to commit more players forward and leaving spaces for his side to exploit. The Gambian coach questioned the decisions that led to Ghana's goals, stating that the Black Stars created relatively few clear chances apart from those moments. The 4-2 result was seen as deserved based on the opportunities created by The Gambia. McKinstry also highlighted that about 30 players made their international debuts during The Scorpions' rebuilding process in the past 18 months, contributing alongside established stars. The Scorpions now have six points in the current qualification window, nearing their target of 11 points and facing Côte d'Ivoire in their next match.",
  "summary": "The Gambia coach, Johnny McKinstry, says he knew his side had won the psychological battle after witnessing Ghana players exchange strong words among themselves in the tunnel at half-time after the Black Stars surrendered a two-goal lead in their shock 4-2 defeat to the Scorpions at the Accra Sports Stadium, yesterday. McKinstry said the heated … The post Black Stars lost psychological battle at…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Nyaho-Tamakloe calls on Kurt Okraku to resign amid Black Stars struggles",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/nyaho-tamakloe-calls-on-kurt-okraku-to-resign-amid-black-stars",
        "published": "2026-10-01T08:21:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Carlos Queiroz must remain as Black Stars coach despite poor start to AFCON qualifiers – Ex-GFA chairman",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/carlos-queiroz-must-remain-as-black-stars-coach-despite-poor-start-to",
        "published": "2026-10-01T08:29:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}