The Black Stars of Ghana were defeated by an Elias Hernandez penalty in the international friendly against Mexico at the NRG Park in the United States.
Elias Hernandez expertly converted from the spot in the first half to score the only goal in a pulsating contest.
Ghana began the game on a positive note with Anderlect winger Frank Acheampong getting the first shot of the game after a brilliant give and take with striker Raphael Dwamena in the 14th minute.
A relentless Black Stars nearly got the opener two minutes later but Abdul Majeed Waris’s shot was saved by the Mexican shot stopper.
El Tri soaked the pressure from the Black Stars to create an attack of their own as they slowly built into the game.
The Mexican attackers after warming themselves into the game started to give the Ghanaian defender problems, one of which led to Sivasspor defender John Boye falling Elias Henandez in the box resulting in a penalty which was superbly converted by the victim.
Manchester City youngster Thomas Agyepong nearly got the equalizer moments later but was denied by the Mexicans.
Inform striker Raphael Dwamena had the game’s biggest chance but fluffed the opportunity as the Black Stars went in search of the leveler.
Coach Kwesi Appiah made some quick substitution in other to salvage the situation by bringing on Chicago Fire’s winger David Accam to replace Thomas Agyepong, Jerry Akaminko for Harrison Afful and Mohammed Abu for Isaac Sackey.
Accam made his impact felt immediately when he was brought down but Ebenezer Ofori’s resulting free kick went wide.
Captain Asamoah Gyan was introduced later in the game for Raphael Dwamena and he could have pulled parity in the dying minutes as his glancing header went wide.
The Black Stars will now face the United States on Tuesday.
By Lukman Evergreen Mumin