Ayew responds to second half critics

Ghana winger Andre Ayew is not bothered by the team's ‘deplorable’ second half performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, so long as it keeps producing results.

The Black Stars have picked maximum points from their first two group games, booking qualification for the quarter-finals with a match to spare.

The 2015 finalists have, however, taken a lot of stick for "poor displays" after recess, despite lone-gone victories over Uganda and Mali.

“If we play like this and it will bring us the cup, I will do it through the entire tournament," Ayew said, as reported by Citi FM.

"But then, we need to play better. It is true that we can do better and we are going to improve, but we know what we are doing.

"When we do not have the ball on the field, we know what we are about.

"We have a good team and a goalkeeper who made two great saves [against Mali], and we need to continue working.

"It is very true that we need to play better in the second half of games.”

Ghana currently sit top of Group D, two points ahead of second-placed Egypt, while Mali and Uganda follow in that order with one and zero points respectively.

Avram Grant's charges will round off their group stage campaign against the Pharaohs on Wednesday.

The Black Stars, four-time champions, are seeking to win the continental title for the first time since 1982.