Ghana Black Stars lost 2-0 to Mexico in an international friendly in Puebla on Friday, conceding in either half as both nations continued preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June, Ghana Football Association reports.
It is now three straight defeats for Ghana, who also lost their double header friendly matches to Austria and Germany in March.
After suffering a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Austria, Ghana narrowly lost 2-1 to four-time World Cup winners Germany.
The match gave Desmond Ofei a closer look at his squad and provided new players a platform to stake a claim just days before Ghana’s final World Cup squad is announced.
Benjamin Asare kept his place in goal, marshalled by a back four of Jan Kwasi Gyamerah, Nathaniel Adjei, Oscar Oppong and Terry Yegbe. Emmanuel Agyei, captain Majeed Ashimeru, Ibrahim Osman and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi started in midfield, with Daniel Agyei and Felix Afena-Gyan leading the line in a 4-4-2 formation.
The hosts took an early lead through Brian Gutiérrez inside two minutes. Ghana recovered with a composed response, but Mexico looked comfortable on the ball and headed into the break 1-0 up after an impressive first-half display.
Guillermo Martínez doubled Mexico’s advantage in the 54th minute. Ofei responded with multiple second-half substitutions, but they were not enough to change the game.
Also Read: Ex-Black Stars Coach Addo Named In FIFA Technical Study Group For 2026 World Cup
Prince Amoako, Jerry Afriyie and Razak Simpson came on for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Daniel Agyei and Felix Afena-Gyan in the 66th minute. Majeed Ashimeru, Ibrahim Osman, Emmanuel Agyei and Benjamin Asare later made way for Abdul Aziz Issah, Joseph Opoku, Salim Adams and Solomon Agbasi.
The changes gave Ghana renewed impetus in the closing stages, but Mexico held on for the win.
The team will now shift focus to the friendly against Wales in Cardiff on June 2, 2026.
Drawn in Group L, Ghana will take on Panama, Croatia and 1966 World Cup champions England.
The four-time AFCON champions recently appointed Carlos Queiroz who replaced Otto Addo.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ghana crashed out in the group stage after winning one (3-2 win against South Korea) and losing two (3-2 to Portugal, 2-0 to Uruguay) of their preliminary fixtures.
