Ghana surrendered a slim lead as South Africa came from, behind to beat the Black Stars 2-1 in an international friendly at the Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night.

It was a game that saw Ghana play an under-strength side due to the unavailability of the majority of the regular players.

“We couldn't get all our regular players for this match. Their clubs didn’t agree because it was a long trip from South Africa to Europe and we couldn’t count on Kotoko players because they have a match in the Africa, so that’s it,” Milovan Rajevac said after the game.

Despite the absence of the regular players, the Black Stars put in a good performance against a more established Bafana Bafana side.

But Ghana had to contend with an injury blow when Kwame Quansah, making his senior debut got had to go off following a challenge from Sibaya. Quansah’s place was taken by Edmund Owuso-Ansah.

Yaw Antwi put Ghana in the lead in the 38th minute after Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Brian Baloyi had spilled a shot across by Haminu Draman.

But Ghana’s celebration didn’t last long as the home side drew level, two minutes after the opener with Benni McCarthy scoring from close range past Fatau Dauda to end the first half 1-1.

The host got the match winner in the 78th minute through substitute Bernard Parker, who headed in from close range from a corner kick.

Ghana line up:

Fatau Dauda, Harrison Afful, David Addy/Emmanuel Ansong, Jonathan Quartey, John Boye, Daniel Yeboah, Agyemang Badu, Kwame Quansah/Edmund Owuso-Ansah, Yaw Antwi, Kwadwo Poku, Samuel Ayew Yeboah, Haminu Draman