The last time Uganda Cranes were in the African cup of nations, they lost 2-0 to Ghana in final on March 18th 1978.
The Cranes return after a 39 year absence and it is the same opponent to usher back in a group D opener in Gabon.
The two have gone on to meet nine times since then with Cranes claiming three and four ending goalless.
Uganda comes into the match with a better head to head statistics with a win and two draws in the last three meetings.
“We are playing against a difficult side that has given us trouble sometimes and it’s not going to be easy but with what is at stake and the quality in the team, we hope for the best,” Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan said in the pre-match press conference.
The Black Stars are ranked 9th on the continent and 54th in the world while Uganda are 19 places below on 73 and 18 in the Africa.
In total, Ghana has played 89 games in Afcon with 50 wins and 17 draws in 20 appearances with four titles to boost of and five silver medals.
Form guide in competitive games
Ghana- LDDWDW
Uganda – WDWWDL
Coaches:
Micho and Grant will be making their debut on Wednesday though the Serbian has traversed the continent at club level.
Micho – “Uganda has no experience that Ghana has especially that we are returning after missing 19 tournaments since 1978. Coming back is not very easy. We shall play Tomorrow’s match like it’s the final and throw everything to the game.”
Grant – “Our players are in high moral and in good spirits to kick off the tournament. We came here to better the last performance but that means we have to be on top of our game in every match we play.”
Players to Watch
Uganda (Miya, Shaban & Onyango)
The Standard Liege forward has been on top form for the country despite his club woes. He has scored two crucial goals in the last three Cranes qualifiers (world cup and Afcon) which include the final goal that sent Uganda to Gabon.
Onduparaka sensational teenage striker Shaban Muhammad enjoyed a stellar year that saw him crowned Fufa best player with over 30 goals to his name. He scored and assisted in the last three Cranes international build ups against Slovenia and Slovakia.
Onyango’s records can only be described in superlatives. Though his fitness level has been a subject of discussion, he is undoubtedly the key pillar in the team spine.
Ghana (Asamoah Gyan)
The evergreen Ghana captain boasts of seven goals in seven tournament appearances.
Cranes Possible lineups
Influential midfielder Khalid Aucho and center back Murshid Jjuko are suspended for the game and coach Micho is likely to use Hassan Waswa and Isaac Isinde as cover for Onyango while Ochaya and Wadada man the wings. Shaban is expected to come in second half.
Onyango- Wadada, Isinde, Waswa, Ochaya- Mawejje, Iguma- Miya, Luwagga, Oloya, Massa