HT: Ghana Black Stars 1-0 Uganda Cranes
West Ham United player Andre Ayew’s well converted penalty after 30 minutes has given Ghana Black Stars a slim 1-0 lead over Uganda Cranes by the half time break.
Ayew shot to goalie Dennis Onyango’s right as the gangly shot stopper wrongly dived to his right.
The penalty arose after Isaac Isinde had a poor first touch wrestled down Harrison Afful in the forbidden area.
Early, Tonny Mawejje had asked the initial questions when he shot straight at Razak Brimah in the opening three minutes.
After six minutes, Thomas Teye Partey shot high and over of Onyango’s goal posts.
Hassan Wasswa Mawanda headed out of danger a curling free-kick from Mubaraka Wakaso.
On 18 minutes, Asamaoh Gyan missed a free header.
There was an iInjury scare for Baba Rahman but he received medication and returned to the field of play.
Onyango was called upon to collect Andre Ayew’s weak shot following a cross from his brother Jordan Ayew.
Then the defining moment came when Isinde pulled down Harrison Afful in the area and Ayew made no mistake from 12 yards.
Ghana made their day’s opening change when Frank Opoku Acheampong replaced Abdul Rahman Baba.
Uganda’s golden chance of the half fell to Faruku Miy a minute to half time but his low drive kissed the lower post and ran out for goal kick.
Team line ups:
Ghana XI: Braimah Razak (G.K), Abdul Rahman Baba, Harrison Afful, Daniel Amartey, John Boye, Mubarak Wakaso, Thomas Teye Partey, Jordan Pierre Ayew, Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu, Asamoah Gyan (Captain)
Subs: Richard Ofori (G.K), Abdual Fatawu Dauda (G.K), Andrew Kyere Yiadom, Jonathan Mensah, Emmanuel Badu Agyeman, Ebenezar Assifuah, Bernard Tekpetey, Edwin Gyimah, Samuel Tetteh, Frank Opoku Acheampong
Head coach: Abraham Grant (Israel)
Uganda Cranes XI: Dennis Onyango, Dennis Iguma, Joseph Ochaya, Isaac Isinde, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Tonny Mawejje, Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Michael Azira, Faruku Miya, William Luwaga Kizito, Geoffrey Massa (Captain)
Subs: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Yunus Junior Sentamu, Geofrey Sserunkuma, Moses Oloya, Nico Wadada Wakiro, Godfrey Walusimbi, Salim Omar Magoola (G.K), Timothy Dennis Awany, Muhammed Shaban, Shafiq Batambuze
Not available: Khalid Aucho, Murushid Juuko
Head coach: Milutin Sredojevic (Serbia)
Match officials:
Center Referee: Joshua Bondo (Botswana)
1st Assistant Referee: Abdelhak Etchiali (Algeria)
2nd Assistant Referee: Olivier Safari Kabene (Cote D’Ivoire)
