The Black Stars lost 1-0 to Mexico in an international friendly in Dallas, today.

Ghana is preparing for its first World Cup appearance.

After opening against Italy and playing the Czech Republic, it faces the United States on June 17 in its final first-round game.

Mexico, grouped with Iran, Angola and Portugal at the World Cup, brought in many of its top players, including goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and forwards Jared Borgetti and Omar Bravo.

Substitute Guillermo Franco came off the bench to head in the game’s only goal in the 75th minute.

Franco snuck in between the Black Star’s central defensive pair of John Mensah and Samuel Osei Kuffour to hand the Mexicans the win.

Ghana appeared to have scored the equaliser through Baba Armando deep into injury time but the referee disallowed the goal due to an earlier infringement committed on a Mexican attacker.

Despite fielding an entirely different set of midfielders and attackers from the Nations Cup squad, the Black Stars failed to stem the tide of recent poor results.

After finishing the year 2005 unbeaten, Ghana has only won once in six games since the start of the new year.

"I was able to look at some new players and some old players and make some conclusions on who will make the World Cup team," Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe said.

Ghana's lineup included forward Michael Essien and Samuel Osei Kuffour.

"I'm disappointed because we did not come here to lose," Essien said.

"But it's difficult because many of us haven't played together."

Ghana line up:

George Owu, Addoquaye Pappoe, Hans Adu Sarpei (Aziz Ansah), Sammy Kuffour, John Mensah, Michael Essien, Razak Ibrahim, Otto Addo, Sulley Muntari, Patrick Agyemang (A. Techie-Menson), Elvis Hammond (Baba Armando)