Ghana’s Black Stars became the third team to pick a win in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. Five stalemates have been recorded this far!

Despite his players not performing at their expected individual levels, Coach Avram Grant says that the win was all that matters.

“I’m happy with the three points,” he says adding that, “We could have played better but winning is the most important in tournaments like this. We had to take on the pressure in the second half but at the end of the day I am happy.”

Christian Atsu was named the man of the match for his role in unlocking the Cranes defense especially from his right wing but often, his efforts went into waste.

Black Stars gradually slowed down their tempo in the second half. They looked worn out.

“Uganda is a very tough team and playing against them is never easy. They covered very many spaces. We got a few chances but we won.

“The second game will be different but there are no easy games in this tournament. In the second half we were a bit fatigued and the players wanted to keep the three points, and we played in a clever way to win the game.”

The Stars lead group D after the win. They face Mali on Saturday in the second match day.

African cup of Nations 2017
Group A (Match day 2)
Gabon vs Burkina Faso 7pm

After all the 16 teams at 2017 African cup of Nations playing a game each, the tournament enters match day 2 with two games in group A.

Indomitable Lions of Cameroon take on debutants Guinea Bissau while hosts Gabon will play tricky Burkina Faso.

Gabon will have themselves to blame after failing to pick maximum points against minnows Guinea Bissau in the opening game.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 52nd minute strike seemed to have set the hosts on course for victory against unfancied Guineau-Bissau on Saturday but the AFCON debutants struck back in injury time as defender Juary Soares secured them a point.

And now the Panthers are faced with an uphill challenge of making it out of the group with fixtures against Burkina Faso and Cameroon.

First on the menu is Burkina Faso as the two sides lock horns on Wednesday at stade de L’Amitie in Libreville.

The Panther’s skipper Pierre Emerick Aubameyang believes they squandered the chance to earn victory in the first game but he is confident they can turn around fortunes in today’s game.

“We have learnt from our mistakes,” captain and striker Aubameyang said.

“I remain positive that we can reach our first goal, which is qualifying for the knockout phase.”

“We have lofty ambitions in this tournament and playing at home in front of our wonderful supporters is a great advantage,” he said in an interview with Fourfourtwo.

“Mistakes were made against Guinea-Bissau, like conceding a goal in the final minute. We must now rectify those errors and defeat Burkina Faso,” Aubameyang stressed.

Burkina Faso is a boggy side that always thrive on team work and will seek to get a positive result against Gabon to brighten their chances of advancing to the next stage.

Bakary Kone,n Charles Kabore, Jonathan Petroipa and Alain Traore among others form the backbone of the team that will be key in today’s encounter.

Kampala Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Muhammad Nsereko still has the belief that Uganda cranes can overturn the 1-0 defeat suffered in the game against Ghana on Tuesday and progress to the next level.

Just a day after Democratic Party pledged UGX 500,000 for every goal, Nsereko has also come out to promise a cash prize for every goal that the Uganda cranes will score against in the game against Egypt.

The flamboyant legislator is confident Uganda can upset Egypt come Saturday and promised a cash prize of $1,000 (about UGX 3.6M) for every goal.

“We shall fight together to upset Egypt,” he said. “My offer is every goal against Egypt shall attract a reward from me of 1,000 dollars for the team,” promised Nsereko.

Nsereko thinks the Cranes can put the loss behind their back and focus on the game against Egypt.

“Great people are not those that win every battle, but those who put defeat behind them, learn lessons and rise up to correct their mistakes,” he stated.

“I’m personally coming to cheer you our great players and give you more courage to go for gold. We are one family and shall do better,”

“Clearly other than the defensive lapse, which happens in football, we had a few chances created,” Nsereko cited.

The outspoken MP hinted out on how Portugal had a poor start at the 2016 UEFA EURO championship but went ahead to win the title.

“Remember during the Euro 2016, Portugal started at a low but fought back, qualified narrowly but later lifted the trophy. In soccer, everything is possible,” he noted.

Uganda started their campaign in group D with a 1-0 loss to Ghana and resume action on Saturday against record champions Egypt in Port Gentil.

The 2017 African cup of Nations enters match day two schedules on Wednesday. Every team has been tested in the eight matches played so far. What we have witnessed is enough to draw some conclusions.

1. African coaches deserve Respect

Four of the last six titles have been won by Local (African) coaches – Hassan Shehata (Egypt) with three and Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) – but the trend of National teams prioritizing foreign CVs at the expense of the natives is increasingly worrying.

Only four of the sixteen in Gabon are locals! A laughable fact when compared with other confederations’ finals. So far none of the four has lost a match. Aliou Cisse (Senegal) and Florent Ibenge (DRC) have picked two of the three wins registered. The third win goes to Ghana in a group that features none.

Baciro Cande didn’t only guide Guinea Bissau to their first ever appearance, but made sure he picked a point from the more fancied hosts, Gabon. Zimbabwe under Calisto Pasuwa exhibited the best game in their 2-2 draw against Algeria.

2. African Cup of Draws!

62 percent of games played so far have ended in draws. Are the coaches scared of losing games more than not winning? Only twelve goals have been scored so far translating to a ratio of 1.5 per game. Apart from Zim-Algeria, the rest have ended 1-1 and 0-0. In fact only three teams have scored two goals, and those were the most entertaining games.

No team has lost a match after scoring a goal. With this fact, maybe it’s time coaches abandon their reticent strategies and serve the fans the right diet.

Full group results;
Group A – Gabon 1-1 Guinea Bissau & B. Faso 1-1 Cameroon
Group B – Algeria 2-2 Zimbabwe & Tunisia 0-2 Senegal
Group C – Ivory Coast 0-0 Togo & DR Congo 1-0 Morocco
Group D- Ghana 1-0 Uganda & Mali 0-0 Egypt

3. Essam El Hadary makes history

“One man’s misery is another’s fortune.” Egyptian keeper, Essam El Hadary, became the oldest to have ever played an Afcon match at 44 years and two days.

He substituted injured Ahmed El Shenawy in the 25th minute. El Shenawy was just two years old by the time El Hadary made his debut for the Pharaohs in 1996. He has won four continental titles, more than 13 nations at the finals.

4. CAF GLO awards winners impress

African player of the year, Riyad Mahrez, is the only player with two goals at the tournament following his brace in Algeria’s two all draw against Zimbabwe.

Sadio Mane and Aubemayang each have one.  The best player based in Africa, Denis Onyango, too gave good account and only conceded from a penalty.

However, the Team of the year lost!

5. Senegal’s lives up to their billing.

The Lions of Teranga qualified with a perfect record (6-0-0) and are odds on favorites to go on and claim the ultimate prize. Sadio Mane and Kara Mbodj made sure Tunisia was wrapped as early as the 30th.

The Carthage Eagles exhibited a stouthearted show thereafter but Cisse’s charges were equal for the task.  The 2002 finalists are aiming their first title.

Danish Superliga side SønderjyskE FC has parted ways with Ugandan striker Emmanuel Okwi on mutual consent.

Okwi crossed to the Superliga side from Tanzania giants Simba SC in July 2015 and signed a five year deal.

“SønderjyskE and striker Emmanuel Okwi have decided to terminate his contract on mutual agreement,” the club posted on their social media pages.

“Okwi has not got much playing time with us, and the prospect of more playing time has not improved. We have therefore, by mutual agreement, agreed to end our partnership.”

The club recently employed coach Claus Nørgaard to replace Jakob Michelsen who was in control since July 1, 2015.

The 24 year old striker has played only six games, 317 minutes, for SønderjyskE since his arrival. Four of the games were in the Superligaen and two in the DBU Landspokal cup where he scored only two goals.

“I wish him well in the future,” SønderjyskE sports director Hans Jørgen Haysen was quoted. “Thanks for the game Okwi.”

Media rumors had linked the striker with a second return to Tanzanian giants Simba SC. He has also featured for SC Villa, Young Africans (Tanzania) and Tunisia giants Etoile Du Sahel.

Uganda cup holders, Vipers SC, have confirmed three new signings as the team prepares for a second round of the season.

Former Jinja Municipal skipper Militon Kaliisa is among the new acquisitions moving from BUL FC on a two year agreement.

Aziz Kemba, who also previously featured for BUL FC, has also joined the Kitende based side.

The left footed winger shifts base from newly promoted Kenya Premier League side, Kariobangi Sharks.

He has previously played for Iceland top club IBV Vestmannaeyjar, Proline, BUL FC, SC Villa and Tusker FC in Kenya.

Head coach Richard Waswa has also roped in Midfielder Moses Waiswa from Swedish club Vaxjo FC. He has promoted Francis Onekalit and Keeper Patrick Ochan from the junior ranks.

Vipers SC ended the first leg of the league on fourth position with 24 points, eight behind leaders KCCA FC.

With the second round of the 2016/17 Uganda Premier League around the corner, teams are making final preparations in terms of playing staff and venues.

Jinja based side Sadolin Paints FC have confirmed they will host their home games in the second round at Mandela National stadium (Namboole).

The Painters who have been using Kyabazinga stadium in Bugembe, Jinja as their home ground have been forced to shift base as the stadium undergoes renovation.

Renovations at Bugembe stadium have already started

The team’s Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Nampala confirmed the development to ChimpSport indicating they tried out several options but finally settled for Namboole.

“It is true, the team will play the second round at Namboole because Kyabazinga stadium is undergoing rehabilitation,” Nampala confirmed.

“We tried to get a nearby option like Njeru technical centre but it doesn’t have a perimeter fence, so we were forced to move all the way to Namboole,” He added.

Nampala also confirmed that the club will conduct its training sessions in Ntawo, Mukono and their U17 team will also host their games at the same venue.

The current state of playing surface at Bugembe

The Uganda Premier League Secretariat CEO, Bernard Beinamani Bampaire too confirmed the relocation.

“The club communicated to us and we gave them a greenlight to shift,” he said.

In a similar development, Kirinya Jinja SS who have also been hosting games at the Kyabazinga stadium have confirmed they will shift to Kakindu stadium for the second round of the league.

SC Villa confirmed at the end of the first round that they will relocate back to Nakivubo stadium from Namboole while Vipers are working hard to make sure they play the second round at the newly constructed St.Mary’s stadium in Kitende.

Reports also indicate Police football club are likely to shift from Kavumba Recreation ground to Nakivubo stadium.

Black Stars defender Baba Rahman has been ruled out of the remaining Africa cup of nations matches due to injury, Ghana FA has confirmed.

The defender ruptured his left knee in a group D opener against Uganda Cranes. Ghana won the game 1-0 through Andre Ayew’s first half penalty.

According to GFA, the defender will fly to Germany later on Thursday for further checkup and a possible surgery.

“Ghana defender Baba Abdul-Rahman will travel to Germany today (Thursday) to undergo further tests and possible surgery over a knee injury he suffered at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon,” GFA’s statement reads in part.

“Ghana Football Association (GFA) took the decision in consultation with his club Schalke after tests were carried out on the injury in the Gabonese capital of Libreville on Wednesday.”

The Schalke defender was stretched off in the 39th minute and replaced by Acheampong. He was later flown to the capital Libreville due to lack of MRI facilities in Port Gentil.

It was later revealed that he had suffered a rupture of the meniscus and a particular tear of the anterior cruciate ligament with fluid collection in the left knee.

“The GFA will offer all the support to the dedicated and hardworking Baba Rahman on his road to recovery,” the statement further read.

Ghana continue their campaign on Saturday 21st against Mali.

African cup of Nations 2017
Group B (Match day 2)
Senegal vs Zimbabwe 10pm

Senegal could be the first team to progress to the quarterfinal stage should they earn maximum points against Zimbabwe.

The Lions of Teranga return to action on match day two against the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Thursday at stade de Franceville.

Senegal who have been tipped by many as one of the favorites to win the title lived to the billing in their opening game with a 2-0 win over Tunusia and could seal a place in the last eight today.

However, Senegal’s head coach Aliou Cisse is aware the game against Zimbabwe will not be a walk in the park.

“Zimbabwe players have played together a lot. They understand each other very well such that the match against them will be a very difficult one. From what we have seen so far, I think it points to an interesting match between Senegal and Zimbabwe. We are not under-estimating them, we have to prepare the way we prepared for the Tunisia match,” Cisse said.

Zimbabwe made a statement in their opening game holding Algeria to a 2-2 all draw and this could spur them to stage another fight against Senegal.

Callisto Pasuwa will again rely on influential diminutive playmaker Khama Billiat who troubled the Algerian defence in the first game.

Kudakweshe Mahachi is the other player who is expected to be a thorn in the foot for the Senegalese team.

Pasuwa will be without forward Knowledge Musona who has failed to recover in time from the hamstring injury he picked in the game against Algeria.

The last time the two sides met at African cup of Nations was in 2006 and Senegal won the game 2-0 courtesy of Henri Camara and Issa Ba.

African cup of Nations 2017
Group B (Match day 2)
Algeria vs Tunisia 7pm

The game between Algeria and Tunisia is not only a Group B clash at the African cup of Nations but a North African derby for the two sides.

With both teams coming into game two on the back of a slow start to the tournament, the game on Thursday at Stade de Franceville will be a do or die affair.

Algeria needed a late goal from Riyad Mahrez to salvage a point against Zimbabwe in a 2 all draw while Tunisia endured a 2-0 loss to Senegal.

George Leekens, the Algeria coach comes into the clash against Tunisia with a depleted side with several players ruled out with injuries.

First choice goalkeeper Rais M’Bholi and forward Hilal Soudhani who scored 7 goals in the qualifying campaign are completely ruled out of the tie due to a knee injury and hamstring injury respectively.

Leceister City’s striker Islam Slimani is also a major doubt to play against Tunisia after picking a groin injury in the first game.

Tunisia under Polish tactician Henryk Kasperczak have no injury concerns and will be aiming to overcome neighbours Algeria to brighten their chances of advancing to the next stage.

Wahbi Khaziri who started on bench against Senegal is expected to start along side Ahmed Akaichi.

The only meeting between the two sides at African cup of Nations came in 2013 and Tunisia won 1-0 courtesy of a late goal from midfielder Youssef Msakni.

After roping about three new players and promoting two from their junior setting, it was imminent that Vipers sports Club were destined to offload several others to pave way.

The club has this evening confirmed a loan move for their striker William Wadri to struggling Police FC.

“The Hima cement sponsored Uganda Cup defending champions, reached an agreement with Police for the loan deal hence Wadri William is now a registered player at the Kavumba based club,” a club statement read.

Wadri, a product of Proline SA, joined the Kitende based side at the start of last season after a long loan stint at KCCA FC.

He has only managed five appearances since August due to recurrent injuries.

Others on the list of temporary exits include youngsters Bashir Mutanda, Nasir Mbabali and Collins Agaba.

“Creative attacking midfielder Mbabali Nasir is loaned to Soana FC while Mutanda Bashir and Agaba Collins will link up at Kirinnya- Jinja FC on season long loan deals as the students continue to fight for dear life in the top flight league,” Vipers stated.

Joseph Semujju has also been lined up for a loan move pending negotiations with the yet to be revealed club.

Earlier on, Vipers confirmed signing midfielders Milutin Kaliisa, Mike Sserumaga and Aziz Kemba.

Tunisia edged closer to booking a quarter final berth in the Africa cup of Nations following their 2-1 victory over Algeria in a match day 2 fixture.

Algeria pressed the self destruct button in the 50th minute Aissa Mandi deflected the ball into his own net off a Youssef Msakni’s left foot shot from an acute angle.

Sassi had picked a throw on and tipped over the defence to find Msakni who tried a shot which was directed to the net.

The Carthage Eagles put the game beyond their North African neighbors a dozen minute later courtesy of Wahbi Khazri’s penalty.

Msakini had lifted a long effort aimed for Khazri which Faouzi Ghoulam intercepted with an aim of heading back to his keeper.

The attempted header didn’t go far. Khazri raced to control and advanced to the box but Ghoulam hacked him down.

Naim Sliti stepped up for the assignment and sent Asselah to his right and the ball to the left.

The Algerians tried a series of attacks but the real chance matured just minutes into the added time through Hanni who fired in from Adlene Guediora cross.

The result means the Tunisians rise to second place above Algeria and Zimbabwe who both have one point

Senegal leads the way with a perfect record so far.

Tunisia’s Ahmed Akaichi dribbles past Adlane Guodioura during the game. (Courtesy photo)

Senegal qualified to the African cup of nations with a perfect record, winning all their six games.

After two identical 2-0 victories over group B members Zimbabwe and Tunisia with star player Sadio mane scoring a goal in each, coach Aliou Cisse, one of the four indigenous coaches at the tournament, has lauded the team for living up to the billing.

“It was the expectation of the whole country (Senegal) and I congratulate the players meeting that expectation,” Cisse said.

Cisse captained the Lions of Teranga that reached the quarter finals in the 2002 world cup, with a team that has been largely considered as Senegal’s golden generation. He believes, and rightly, the current crop has so much talent.

“Today we have a generation with so much quality, and as a coach I have to work on changing the mentality which is an important element.

“The objective is to uplift the level of football on the continent. The result we see now did not start today. It started long ago. I have never doubted the quality of my team. They (players) have to stop putting themselves under pressure and this one aspect I have been working on.”

Senegal climax their group campaign against North African giants Algeria who risk elimination after failing to win their first two games.

Algeria’s chances of making to the knockout stages in the ongoing Africa cup of nations condensed following a 2-1 loss to Tunisia on Thursday night.

Amir Bensebaini directed Youssef Msakni’s 50th minute cross into his own net. Minutes later, Naim Sliti added the second from the spot. Left back Ghoulam had felled Khazri in the box.

“We started well and were very motivated, but along the line, we were undone by two individual mistakes,” coach George Leekens said.

“Both goals were avoidable and we were also not efficient in front of goal. We know how to play, but there were a lot of costly individual errors.”

Luck
The Fennecs must beat table leaders, Senegal, who are on top form, by a good margin and pray Zimbabwe and Tunisia result goes in their favor.

“Collectively, we played well but the problem was the transition from defence to attack, and the problem of balance as well. Sometimes, you also need a bit of luck in matches, and today we were unlucky.”

The speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga is set to link up with the Uganda Cranes team in Gabon on Saturday.

Federations of Uganda Football Associations, Fufa, spokesman Ahmed Hussein confirmed the news.

The Cranes are set to take on Egypt later at the Port Gentil stadium in a must win encounter. The speaker will attend the match later.

“The speaker of Parliament Hon. Rebecca Kadaga is in Gabon ahead of Uganda Cranes match against Egypt at Port Gentil on Saturday night,” Ahmed Hussein said on the federation’s portal.

“We expect the Speaker to fly to Port Gentil on Saturday morning where she will meet the players and other team officials. She will also talk to the players with a word of inspiration or two.”

Kadaga is expected to deliver a cheque worth about two hundred fifteen million shillings (UgX 250M) that was offered to the team by the members of Parliament.

Each member contributed about half a million shillings to the cause.

Defending champions, Ivory Coast, came from behind twice to collect a vital 2-2 draw against DR Congo in a pulsating end to end clash staged in Oyem on Friday.

The match got off in an explosive fashion with three goals already registered by the half hour mark.

DR Congo drew the first blood nine minutes into the game. Mubele picked a pass and rushed down his left wing but his attempt was directed out for a corner kick. Wilfred Bony cleared the resultant kick.

The Leopards recollected in a jiffy with Kabananga picking up a throw in and set up Neeskens Kebano for a powerful low drive.

Bony came closer to a leveller in the 22nd. Serge Aurier curled a swift cross to pick out the former Manchester City star who was unmarked. His lofted header looped over Matampi but spanned wide.

The striker finally unlocked the codes a minute later after brushing in Max Gradel’s corner kick.

Tisserand initiated a move minutes later which snaked through to Mubele in the right lane. The winger drove past a defender and Mbokani cross to find Kabananga who was unusually unmarked at the back end of the post. Kabananga didn’t waste time to restore the lead.

The Elephants’ skipper Serey Die pulled the team back in the 66th. Die bursted into DRC’s final third and powered in a low shot which got a big deflection on a defender leaving Matampi helpless in goal.

Coach Dussuyer later introduced Solomon Kalou for Max Gradel. The striker was unfortunate when his last minute stunning nonstop volley was flagged off.

The draw leaves Ivory Coast in the third spot with two points while DRC maintain lead with four.

Lineups:

Ivory Coast: Gbohouo, Aurier, Bailly, Kanon, Traore (45′ Deli), Doukoure, Serey Die, Kessie, Zaha, Bony, Gradel (76′ Kalou)

DRC: Matampi, Ikoko (72′ Mulumbu), Bokadi, Tisserand, Mpeko, Mbemba, Maghoma (72′ Mulumba, Kabananga (79′ Bolingi), Kebano, Mubele, Mbokani

The Atlas Lions of Morocco revived their hopes of qualifying to the last eight in the ongoing Africa Cup of nations with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Togo in Oyem, Gabon on Friday.

Standard Liege winger Mathieu Dossevi had put the Sparrow Hawks ahead with five minutes into the game. Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor had cleared a messy situation in the box off a corner kick and in turn launched a lightning speed counter attack that ended at Dossevi.

The lead lasted only nine minutes before Aziz Bouhaddouz grabbed the equalizer and Romain Saiss added another to put the Herve Renard coached team ahead into the recess.

Second half substitute Youssef En-Nesyri completed the rout in the 72^nd minute to ensure the Atlas Lions bounce back after a disappointing match day one loss to leaders DR Congo.

Togo remain rooted in the bottom with only one point and will have to maneuver through DR Congo with a good margin and hope for favorable result between Ivory Coast and Morocco.

Ivory Coast: Monir El Kajoui, HaPhoto:endyl,  Manuel Marouan, Mehdi Amine El, Ghanem Saiss, Karim El Ahmadi Aroussi, Faycal Fajr (81’ Youssef Ait Bennasser), M’bark Boussoufa, Omar El Kadouri (60’ Youssef En-Nesyri), Nabil Dirar, Aziz Bouhaddouz (90’ Rachid Alioui)

Togo: Kossi Agassa, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mathieu  Dossevi (84’ Segbefia Kossi), Floyd Ayite, Sadate Ouro, Jacques Romao, Serge Gakpe, Atakora Lalawele (89’ Komlan Agbegniadan), Kodjo Laba (73’ Razak Boukari), Djene Dakonam, Bebou Ihlas

Record seven time  champions, Egypt return to action in the 2017 Afcon on Saturday against Uganda. Both sides failed to prosper in their openers, four days ago.

Uganda lost to Ghana 1-0 through Andre Ayew’s half time spot. Cranes defender Isaac Isinde was largely blamed for complacency that led to the penalty.

Egypt, who are returning to the arena after missing the last three editions, were pegged by Mali to an uninspiring goalless draw.

Team news

Isaac Isinde is highly likely to miss the encounter due to performance. Murshid Jjuko returns to the team after serving his one match suspension. Khalid Aucho will also be available.

Striker Muhammad Shaban and Dennis Onyango will await a late fitness test to determine their availability. Shaban injured his calf.

Legendary keeper Essam El-Hadary is expected to continue in goal after coming on bench to replace Zamalek goalie Ahmed El-Shenawy against Mali. Third goalie Sherif Ekramy is also racing to recover from an injury.

Head to head

Uganda enter the game with an inferior head to head. The Cranes have won only one of the seventeen meetings since 1962, with only three draws. The win came in April 1965 during an international friendly.

Egypt are unbeaten in their last 30 Afcon games and hold the tournament’s longest run.

Players to watch

Uganda (Shaban Muhammad, Farouk Miya & Oloya)

The Onduparaka youngster changed the attacking spirit despite his late introduction. The attacking trio is capable of unlocking any defense and their pace is added advantage in case Micho employs a defensive structure.

Egypt (El Neny, Salah and Sobhi)

The Egyptian squad is full of experience and exciting young talent who play in Europe and their highly rated local league. The above trio are all key figures in their European clubs with enviable speed and ability on the ball.

“Come tomorrow anyone who has done his homework well will win the game,” Cranes defender Hassan Waswa said during the prematch press conference. “We have done ours and let us wait for the match against Egypt.”

How will the Cranes lineup?

First choice goalie Onyango will start as long as he is fit. Ochaya is expected to continue on the left back as Waswa and Jjuko partner in central defense. Vipers captain Wadada is likely to return in the right back as Iguma moves to an advanced role to partner Khalid to shield the back four. Mawejje to continue in the central midfield, Miya and Oloya to go wide and Shaban as the target man.

Black Stars coach Avram Grant has made only one change to the team that defeated Uganda Cranes in the opening group D match last Tuesday. The stars play Mali in the first game on Saturday evening at the Stade Port Gentil.

Frank Acheampong starts in the left back position which he featured for 50 minutes on Tuesday after coming on to replace injured Schalke O4 left back Baba Rahman.

Leicester’s Daniel Amartey will continue his partnership with John Boye in central defense as Harrison Afful patrols the right win. Razak Braimah will be in goal.

Captain Asamoah Gyan and the Ayew brothers have been tasked with unlocking Mali defense.

Ghana could book a spot to the quarter finals with any type of victory. They lead the pool with three points followed by Mali and Egypt who shared spoils in their opener.

Ghana XI vs Mali:  Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, Frank Acheampong, John Boye, Daniel Amartey, Mubarak Wakaso, Thomas Partey, Christian Atsu, Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew.

Gormahia defender-cum-midfielder, Godfrey ‘Jajja’ Walusimbi has been named in Uganda Cranes squad to face Egypt later on Saturday night in Port Gentil, Gabon.

Walusimbi will occupy the left back space in order to push Ochaya upfront to an advanced role. Denis Iguma maintains his spot in the right lane.

Murshid Jjuko and Khalid Aucho both return from suspension. Jjuko will partner with Hassan Waswa to shield Onyango who has passed a late fitness test.

The formation means that former St. George defender Isaac Isinde has been relegated to the bench. The center back made clumsy mistakes that led to Ghana’s penalty.

Aucho and Baba Kizito have been deployed in front of the back four as Mawejje plays ahead of them. Colorado Rapids’ Mike Azira and Luwagga Kizito have also been demoted to the bench.

Farouk Miya and Ochaya play upfront together with captain Geoffrey Massa.

Uganda XI vs Egypt
Denis Onyango (GK), Denis Iguma, Godfrey ‘Jaja’ Walusimbi, Hassan Mawanda Wasswa, Murshid Jjuuko, Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito , Tony Mawejje, Farouk Miya, Geoffrey Massa(Capt), Joseph Ochaya