A Razak Abalora blunder was punished by Jawad El-Yamiq as Atlas Lions pip Ghana to a 1-0 defeat in a friendly encounter on Tuesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The game was a test match for the two sides ahead of commencement of the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in September.

Ghana made the first attempt to open the scoring in the sixth minute when Joel Fameyeh connected to an Andy Yiadom cross into the box but the Russia-based attacker’s half volley flew just over the bar.

In the 13th minute, Jordan found space outside the box to unleash a shot but his effort was no trouble for Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

The hosts had their first opportunity in the 22nd minute, perhaps the best chance of the half, when Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Romain Saiss lost Ghanaian marker Iddrisu Baba for a free header on Adel Taarabt’s corner but the glancing effort bounced just over the bar.

A similar situation came again in the 37th minute after Taarabt delivered another corner into the box, but Nayef Aguerd’s connecting half-volley flew over, to the relief of the Ghana defence.

After the break, Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic threw on Ziyech in the 68th minute who produced an immediate impact with a free-kick which was fumbled by goalkeeper Abalora. El-Yamiq won a scramble for the air ball to head into an empty net.

In the 71st minute, Kudus called Bounou into action, the Sevilla goalkeeper stretching at full length to push out the goal-bound effort.

Akonnor’s men were dangerous in the latter stages of the game with the introduction of Black Stars captain, Dede Ayew but the attacking prowess could not yield any goal in Rabat.

The Black Stars will host the Elephant of Cote d’Ivoire, next in a second friendly in Cape Coast.