Friendly: Undav’s late strike helps Germany sink Ghana

Ghana failed to recover from their heavy loss to Austria three days earlier after losing 1-2 to Germany on Monday in their second international friendly of the March FIFA window at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.

The Black Stars suffered a 1-5 loss against Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium last Friday but appeared on the right track after Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s second half goal cancelled Kai Havertz’ first half penalty kick. However, Deniz Undav’s late strike earned Germany the needed win.

Germany started the game swiftly, with Havertz laying a low cross to Nick Woltemade whose effort missed the goal post by inches in the 6th minute.

The incessant pressure from the European powerhouse resulted into a free kick moments later, but Florian Wirtz’s attempt on goal missed the cross bar by a whisker.

After waves of attacks, Jonathan Tah came up with a flashing strike across the face of Ghana’s goal but that did little to trouble keeper Benjamin Asare. The Black Stars came out of their shells momentarily, with traces of attacks down the wings but lacking the cutting edge to find a goal.

Ghana came close to finding the opener one more time following a quick incursion but Antoine Semenyo’s low cross was cleared by Nico Schlotterbeck in the 30th minute. Germany quickly turned the heat on Ghana, and for a moment they thought they had found the opener but Wirtz’ apparent goal was flagged offside with 33 minutes played.

The Germans earned a dramatic opener via a VAR awarded penalty just on the stroke of halftime, with Havertz sending Benjamin Asare the wrong way after defender Jonas Adjetey handled the ball.

Both sides tweaked their squads with substitutions and they tested each other with threatening attacks in the opening minutes of the second half. The hosts struck the crossbar with a thumping header from Woltemade in the 50th minute mark.

The Black Stars were dealt a blow following an injury to Kojo Oppong Peprah, with his place taken by Pafos FC centre back Derrick Luckassen.

Fatawu gives Ghana brief moment of joy

Ghana broke quickly on the left wing with Derrick Köhn, whose low cross was tapped in by substitute Fatawu for the equalizer in the 70th minute. The hosts, however, left it late to go past the Black Stars defence with Deniz Undav heading in the winner at the 88th minute mark.

 

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The four-time African champions have two more friendlies against Wales and Mexico before the FIFA World Cup in Canada, USA and Mexico where they are paired in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.