Full-Time: Ghana Black Stars 1-0 Uganda Cranes
Uganda Cranes fell down 1-0 to Ghana Black Stars during the group D opener at Port Gentil stadium.
Andre Ayew slotted home the lone strike of the day, a penalty in the 31st minute after a professional foul on Harrison Afful by defender Isaac Isinde.
Isinde also received a booking for the foul.
The Cranes created a couple of changes through Faruku Miya, who shot at the base of the post after a played through ball by William Luwagga Kizito.
Team skipper Geofrey Massa, Miya and Mawejjje all had attempts narrowly missed.
Uganda played Gallantly but lost the battle upon return to the Africa Cup of Nations championship after a 39 year absence.
The next game for Uganda will be on Saturday, 21st January 2017 against Egypt. On the same day, Ghana will return to action against Mali. Both matches will be played at Port Gentil Stadium.
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)
Follow key moments
Kick off: 7 p.m East African time
1′ Start of the game: Ghana 0-0 Uganda Cranes
3′ Tonny Mawejje tests goalie Razak Brimah from about 20 yards on the left side of the playing field.
10′ Ghana 0-0 Uganda
17′ Corner for Ghana.
20′ Ghana 0-0 Uganda
27′ Ghana 0-0 Uganda
31′ Goal for Ghana through Andre Ayew’s penalty.
37′ Frank Opoku Acheampong replaced injured Abdul Rahman Baba.
43′ Faruku Miya shot hits the lower post for Ghana. Chance missed for Uganda missed.
HALF TIME: GHANA 1-0 UGANDA
Second Half start: Ghana 1-0 Uganda. Change for Uganda. Moses Oloya comes in for Michael Azira
59′ Muhammed Shaban replaces William Luwagga Kizito
69′ Geofrey Sserunkuma replaces Isaac Isinde
90′ Three minutes of added time
Full-Time: GHANA BLACK STARS 1-0 UGANDA CRANES
