In his sixth match as the coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton witnessed his team’s first defeat, falling 2-0 to Mexico on Sunday, October 15.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup champions secured their victory with second-half goals from Hirving Lozano and Uriel Antuna, continuing their historical dominance over the Ghanaian side.
Despite a lacklustre performance in the initial half, Ghana managed to hold Mexico at bay, denying them both goals and shots on target. Star player Mohammed Kudus saw limited involvement, registering just 17 touches in the first period.
Hughton’s record as Ghana coach – W3, L1, D2
23/03/23 – Ghana 1 – 0 Angola
27/03/23 – Angola 1 – 1 Ghana
18/06/23 – Madagascar 0 – 0 Ghana
07/09/23 – Ghana 2 – 1 Central African Republic
12/09/23 – Ghana 3 – 1 Liberia
14/10/23 – Mexico 2 – 0 Ghana
However, after the break, Mexico returned with renewed vigour. Lozano broke the deadlock with a precise near-post finish, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in concentration in defence from the four-time African champions.
In the 72nd minute, Antuna sealed the tie, exploiting a gap in Ghana’s defensive line and netting the ball past goalie Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
This 2-0 loss on Sunday adds to Ghana’s winless record against Mexico, having played four matches without securing a victory. The Black Stars have also struggled to find the net in three of these encounters, conceding a total of six goals.
Looking ahead, Hughton’s squad will shift their focus to the upcoming friendly against the United States of America on October 18. These matches are integral to their preparations for the initial phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Source: GraphicOnline
