Ghana�s unbeaten record under Milovan Rajevac in the last round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers was ended in Cotonou as Benin scored a late goal to hand the Black Stars a first defeat.
The Black Stars, already candidates for next year's double, the Nations Cup and the World Cup competitions on the continent, were determined to keep their unbeaten record intact in Group D.
But a 92nd minute goal by the Mohamed Aoudou was the first to have been conceded by the Ghana in the group with goalkeeper Richard Kingson having kept a clean sheet in all four previous games.
Milovan Rajevac handed starting places to Laryea Kingston, Jonathan Quartey, Samuel Kyere and Asamoah Gyan.
However, the hosts who needed a win to improve their chances of earning a place at the Nations Cup looked the determined side as they pushed right from the start.
The Squirrels, who suffered a 0-1 loss in Kumasi in the reverse fixture had more attempts at goal but Ghana goalkeeper Kingson blocked an all out assault by the Squirrels to end the half goalless.
Ghana's bench made three changes in the second half as Samuel Kyere made way for Haminu Draman while Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan were taken off for Isaac Vorsah and Derek Boateng.
The game looked set for a goalless draw until a long ball was left uncleared, allowing a Benin attacker to run on and hit a shot across which was turned in at the near post by Aoudou.
line up Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Jonathan Quartey, Eric Addo, Laryea Kingston, Samuel Kyere/Haminu Draman, Stephen Appiah/Isaac Vorsah, Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan/Derek Boateng, Matthew Amoah
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