Ghana Black Stars defeated again by Senegal, striker Konate makes the difference

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Image caption Ghana against Senegal at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal continued their dominance over Ghana with a 2-1 win on Saturday night thanks to a brace from substitute Moussa Konate.

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The international friendly played at the Stade Oceane du Le Havre was high in quality as Aliou Cisse won his first match in-charge.

The two sides were meeting for the second time in two months after a Group B clash in Mongomo which Senegal won by the same scoreline.

Striker Demba Ba should have shot ahead on six minutes when Sadio Mane put him through.

The Besiktas man wriggled past his man and fired a low grounder which beat goalkeeper Razak Brimah but the lower side post denied him.

Ghana continued to push and thought they deserved a penalty when striker Kwesi Appiah was fouled inside the box but the referee waived for play to continue.

Defender John Boye profited from a flick on header inside the box and fired from close range but his shot went side.

Earlier, Appiah fought his way into the box and fired but his shot was blocked. Stand-in captain Andre Ayew followed up with a shot but that was wide.

The second half belonged to Ghana who were slightly on top with some steel play and attacking moves.

Andre cut in from the left and approach the box before sending in a cross which just above

But against the run of play striker Moussa Konate put the Teranga Lions ahead on the 66 minutes just five minutes after coming on for Demba Ba.

It was a long ball from defence which found the FC Sion man, who chested and volleyed over goalkeeper Brimah, off his line.

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Ghana tried to make amends and mounted a search for the leveller but they got exposed at the back and another defence-splitting pass found from midfielder picked out Mane on the left.

The Southampton man took his charge and laid a pass to the right to find an unmarked Konate who slotted home for the second.

Substitute Richmond Boakye-Yiadom reduced the deficit when he powerfully headed down a prosaic cross from Harrison Afful’s weaker left foot from the right in the 84th minute.

The Atalanta man had spent four minutes on the pitch after replacing Appiah.

Ghana tried to snatch the equalizer but Senegal were tough and thwarted everything thrown at them.

The Black Stars will play Mali next on Tuesday in Paris and Senegal engage Ligue 2 side Le Havre.

Ghana line-up: 

Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, Frank Acheampong/Jeffrey Schlupp, Jonathan Mensah/Daniel Amartey, John Boye, Mubarak Wakaso/Mohammed Rabiu, Afriyie Acquah/Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu, Kwesi Appiah/ Richmond Boakye Yiadom, Jordan Ayew

Senegal line-up: 

Abdoulaye Diallo - Cheikh Mbengue, Kara Mbodji, Lamine Sané, Zargo Touré (Lamine Gassama) - Sadio Mané, Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Mame Biram Diouf (Pape Souaré)- Demba Ba (Moussa Konaté), Moussa Sow (Pape Kouly Diop)