Ghana Black Stars 1-0 Uganda Cranes
Uganda Cranes received a rude welcome on their return to the Africa Cup of Nations championship after a 39 year old absence.
Ghana defeated Uganda 1-0 at the coastal Port Gentil stadium off the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday evening.
West Ham United player Andre Ayew’s well converted penalty after 31 minutes gave Ghana Black Stars lead by the half time break and was also the match winner.
Ayew shot in the middle of goal but Dennis Onyango wrongly dived to his left.
The penalty arose after Isaac Isinde wrestled down Asamoah Gyan in the forbidden area.
The center back was yellow carded for the foul by Botswana FIFA referee, Joshua Bondo.
Earlier, 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 before Hassan Wasswa Mawanda headed out of danger a curling free-kick from Mubaraka Wakaso.
On 18 minutes, Asamaoh Gyan missed a free header before 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 wrestled down a lively Gyan on the left side of the goal area before Ayew made no mistake from 12 yards sending Onyango the wrong way.
Ghana made their day’s opening change with Frank Opoku Acheampong replacing Abdul Rahman Baba.
Uganda’s golden chance of the first half fell to Faruku Miya in the 44th minute but his low drive kissed the outside of low post and ran out for goal-kick.
After the break, Micho rested Colorado Rapids’ midfielder Michael Azira for winger Moses Oloya.
The second change happened 15 minutes later when teenage striker Muhammed Shaban replaced a largely ineffective William Luwagga Kizito.
Micho’s intent to add numbers upfront continued with Geoffrey Sserunkuma’s introduction for defender Isaac Isinde inside the final 10 minutes of the game.
On the other hand, Grant replaced skipper Gyan with Emmanuel Badu Agyeman and the final call was Torino’s Afriye Acquah for the goal hero Ayew.
Uganda returned a better side for the second half creating half chances through Mawejje’s long range shot in the 61st minute, Ochaya’s cross cum shot and captain Geofrey Massa’s free-kick from about 40 yards.
Onyango was called upon to make a few stops that would have buried the game.
At one time, the Mamelodi Sundowns’ goalkeeper made reflexes that stopped Ghana’s Gyan and Jordan Ayew.
Uganda will once against be in action on Saturday, 21st January 2017 against Egypt at the same facility, Port Gentil.
On the same day, Ghana will also play Mali.
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)
Changes:
37′ Frank Opoku Acheampong replaced Abdul Rahman Baba
71′ Asamoah Gyan with Emmanuel Badu Agyeman replaced Asmoah Gyan
83′ Afriye Acquah replaced Andre Ayew
Subs Not Used: Richard Ofori (G.K), Abdual Fatawu Dauda (G.K), Andrew Kyere Yiadom, Jonathan Mensah, Ebenezar Assifuah, Bernard Tekpetey, Edwin Gyimah, Samuel Tetteh
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)
Changes:
45′ Moses Oloya replaces Michael Azira
59′ Muhammed Shaban replaced William Luwagga Kizito
69′ Geofrey Sserunkuma replaced Isaac Isinde
Subs Not Used: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Yunus Junior Sentamu, Nico Wadada Wakiro, Godfrey Walusimbi, Salim Omar Magoola (G.K), Timothy Dennis Awany, 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)
