The dazzling start by the Black Stars in the African zone qualifiers could not be sustained in Libreville as Gabon handed Ghana a 2-0 defeat.

Ghana faltered on Saturday afternoon at the Libreville Sports Stadium just six days after recording their second successive win in the Group 5 qualifiers for the 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup.

The Black Stars made two changes to the side that started the last game away to Lesotho as Eric Bekoe started ahead of Junior Agogo while Sulley Muntari took his place in midfield after returning from injury.

But Ghana’s slow pace game failed to threaten a Gabon side who played really compact and managed to keep a clean sheet against the Black Stars.

Goals from Roguy Mere in the first half and Stephane Uguema’s second half strike condemned Ghana to defeat after three matches in the qualifying series.

Coach Sellas Tetteh utilized his bench bringing on Francis Dickoh, Junior Agogo and Haminu Draman for Eric Addo, Eric Bekoe and Laryea Kingston but the Black Stars could not find target.

Roguy Mere opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, latching on to a pass from Eric Mouloungi to beat Richard Kingson with a low grounder from close range after finding his way through the middle.

The second goal came after 70 minutes as the Gabonese, beat the off side trap on the right side before crossing low across the face of the Ghanaian goal to find Stephane Uguema to tap in.

Despite defeat, Ghana still sits at the summit of Group 5 as they prepare to host Gabon in the reverse fixture at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra next Sunday.

It was Gabon’s first win of the qualifiers after they lost their opening match in Libya last week.