Andre Ayew’s first half penalty was just enough to gift Ghana an important victory over Uganda Cranes in a tightly contested group D opener in the 2017 Africa cup of Nations played in Port Gentil, Gabon.
The Cranes missed the services of influential midfielder Khalid Aucho and regular center back Murshid Jjuko who were both out due to suspension.
Makeshift center back Hassan Waswa just did the best to keep the team rolling but a clumsy mistake from his twin partner turned costly to the Cranes hopes.
First half action.
Midfielder Tonny Mawejje registered Cranes first attempt in the third minute after robbing off Harisson Afful before speeding to the box but his angled shot was easily tamed by Razak.
The Black Stars came closer to unlock the code twelve minutes later. Christian Atsu collected a floating ball and split a pass to Jordan Ayew but the recipient’s end result from a tight angle flew high with several white shirts left grumbling.
At the half hour, Gyan dispossessed Isinde following a flimsy and failed clearance but the defender, without weighing his decision, turned around and pulled him down for a penalty.
Andre Ayew converted from the spot, sent Onyango to the left and planted it in the middle.
Grant was forced to pull of injured Baba Rahman for Frank Acheampong in the 38th.
Micho pulled out Michael Azira and introduced tricky winger Moses Oloya immediately after the breather. The Serbian later on added Shaban Muhammad and Geoffrey Sserunkuma for Mike Azira and William Oloya.
Uganda improved in attack but the final delivery for Shaban, Massa and Sserunkuma was still poor.
Ghana lead the group with three points at least until Egypt face off Mali later in the night.
Uganda return to action on Saturday 21 against Egypt as Ghana take on Mali.
Uganda Cranes Lineup: Dennis Onyango, Dennis Iguma, Joseph Ochaya, Isaac Isinde (70′ Geofrey Sserunkuma), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Tonny Mawejje, Geofrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Michael Azira (46′ Muhammed Shaban), Faruku Miya, William Luwaga Kizito (46′ Moses Oloya), Geoffrey Massa (Captain)
Unused Subs: Robert Odongkara (G.K), Yunus Junior Sentamu, Nico Wadada Wakiro, Godfrey Walusimbi, Salim Omar Magoola (G.K), Timothy Dennis Awany, Shafiq Batambuze
Ghana lineup: Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Armatey, Mubarak Wakaso, Emmanuel Badu, Thomas Partey, Asamoah Gyan, Andrew Ayew, Jordan Ayew.
Referee: Joshua Bondo (Botswana)
Assistant1: Abdelhak Etchiali (Algeria)
Assistant2: Olivier Safari Kabene (DR Congo)