Mensah wants Ghana to return to winning ways

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Ghana captain John Mensah has asked the Black Stars to win their friendly against Chile on Wednesday to appease fans of the four-time African champions.

The France-based defender will not play in the match in the United States as he has been excused from international duty because of injury.

The Black Stars have come under heavy criticism from their fans in the wake of their semi final exit at the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

But Mensah has asked his colleagues who have been called up to face the South Americans in the game in Philadelphia to make amends with a victory.

"It is just an international friendly, but we cannot afford to lose this game taking into account what happened during the Nations Cup," Mensah said.

"We broke the nation’s heart by failing to return home with the ultimate. I believe a convincing win will, in a way, serve as a healing balm.

“Brethren, I will not be present with you in person, but spiritually, I am. A good win in tomorrow’s game is crucial.

"Let’s do it for the many fans who as a result of the loss to Zambia, suffered various degrees of emotional pain.

“I believe you are more than able to stand in the gap for some of us who didn’t have the opportunity to serve our country in tomorrow’s game.” he added.

Chile have presented their strongest squad for the game while Ghana have been depleted by the absence of some key players including the Andre and Jordan Ayew.

John Mensah and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu are also nursing injuries.