Dossena's Black Stars crash to first defeat

DUROSIMI THOMAS, ACCRA

Ghana have lost their 14-month unbeaten run following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tunisia on Wednesday in an African Nations Cup warm-up match in Sfax. It was Ghana's first defeat in 12 matches under Italian coach Giuseppe Dossena.

The Tunisians scored twice in the space of 15 minutes in the second half to clinch victory in an uninspiring encounter. The hosts took the lead in the 53rd minute from the penalty spot following a mix-up inside the Ghanaian box. Striker Imed Mhadhbi made no mistake, sending Constant Mantey the wrong way.

In the 68th minute, the North Africans were celebrating the second goal after Bechir Mogaadi volleyed in Fawzi Rouissi's cross from the right.

Tunisia rested captain and Esperance goalkeeper, Chokri El Ouaer, and top strikers Mehdi Ben Slimane and Adel Selimi. Ghana lined up with 13 home-based players. Strikers Arthur Moses, who captained the side, and the Switzerland-based Charles Amoah were the most prominent names among the six foreign-based players that Dossena called up.

However, the performance of both sides was unconvincing, in a game with few clear chances. The West Africans lacked cohesion, while the Tunisians seemed reluctant to take the game to the Ghanaians. The two sides will meet again in Accra on January 18 to round off their preparations for next month's Nations Cup finals in Ghana and Nigeria.