Black Stars’ Coach Chris Hughton acknowledged that his team faced difficulties in dealing with Mexico’s increased intensity in the second half of the match.
Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat in the early hours of a Sunday international friendly at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, USA, marking the end of Hughton’s unbeaten streak with the Black Stars.
During his post-match press conference, Hughton expressed satisfaction with his team’s first-half performance but noted the need for more goal-scoring opportunities, saying, “Certainly, in the first half period I came in not too unhappy, you know. I felt we could have perhaps produced a little bit more in the final third; a few more goal-scoring opportunities.”
Hughton continued, highlighting the challenge in the second half, “The problem was in the second half where the Mexican team upped the tempo of their game. You know they’re a very good side and they press well; they have very sharp players and we struggled to cope with the intensity of their game in that second half period.”
Following a goalless first half, Mexico seized the lead in the 57th minute through Hirving Lozano, exploiting Ghana’s defensive vulnerabilities. They extended their lead in the 72nd minute with a goal by Uriel Antuna from Dynamo Moscow.
The Black Stars are set to face the United States in their next match, scheduled for Wednesday at 12:30 A.M. at Geodis Park in Tennessee.
