Latvia's Andrejs Perepļotkins (14) vies for the ball with Ghana's Andre Ayew (13) in Saturday's friendly. Photo used courtesy of the Ghana national team.

MILTON KEYNES, U.K. — Latvia fell 1-0 to Ghana on Saturday in their latest international friendly.

Bound for South Africa later this week, Ghana had a more challenging match then expected from Latvia ahead of their World Cup campaign.

Played in the United Kingdom in front of a largely Ghanaian expat community Latvia had little trouble in containing their high-flying opposition throughout most of the game.

However disaster struck as the full time hooter crept close when Ghana substitute Quincy Owusu-Abeyie got his shot past Andris Vaņins in the 89th minute.

Latvia, unlucky to miss out on qualifying from the World Cup will take some heart from the performance knowing that they are not far off competing with the top tier in world football.

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