Red Bull Salzburg midfielder, Forson Amankwah, earned a spot in coach Otto Addo's starting eleven, in the 2-1 friendly defeat against fierce rivals Nigeria.

The 21-year- old was handed a late call-up to replace the injured Elisha Owusu.

Amankwah joined the midfield alongside Baba Iddrisu and Salis Abdul Samed, adding depth and skill as the Black Stars aim for victory against their long-standing rivals, the Super Eagles.

The Nigerians shot into the lead after Cyril Dyssers scored from the spot in the 38th minute after a foul in the box.

Jerome Opoku was adjudged by the Moroccan referee to have handled the ball in the box and pointed to the spot.

Ghana failed to pull parity before the Nigerians went into the lead at the break.

Jerome Opoku was later shown his marching orders in the 56th minute for what the referee adjudged to be an elbow but replays showed that was not the case.

Antoine Semenyo was played through on goal by Ernest Nuamah but skied the chance and also headed wide from a cross.

Late in added time Jordan Ayew scored from the spot in what was a consolation goal to make it 2-1.

With Andre Ayew starting from the bench, Jordan Ayew assumed the captain's armband, leading the team onto the field under Otto Addo's guidance.

Addo, in his second stint as coach of the Black Stars, took charge following the departure of Chris Hughton after Ghana's disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.