The country was 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 team in the group with goalkeeper Richard Kingson having kept a clean sheet in all of the 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 all out 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 run on, hit a shot across which was turned in at the near post by Aoudou.