[ 2017-01-17 ]

Ayew makes history as Ghana open campaign with Uganda win
Ghana welcomed Uganda back into the Africa Cup of
Nations with a defeat in Port Gentil on Tuesday.

A first half penalty from vice captain Andre Ayew
gave the Black Stars a narrow victory in the
opening game of Group D at this year's AFCON in
Gabon.

Ghana was by far the better side in a first half
that was dull for most parts. Asamoah Gyan headed
a cross from Christian Atsu wide; striker Jordan
Ayew completely misfired from what looked like a
cross from the right side of the box gone bad, and
Andre Ayew toe poked the ball into the arms of
Uganda goalie Denis Onyango.

After these attempts, however, came a deserved
breakthrough for Avram Grant's men when Uganda
defender Isaac Isinde found the poor pitch at the
Stade de Port Gentil sabotaging his attempt at
trapping a pass played back to him.

The Ethiopia-based defender missed the ball and
had to pull down Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan, who
had crept in behind him to capitalize, the referee
blowing for a penalty.

Andre Ayew stepped up to take the kick, with an
opportunity to have a shot face to face with
Onyango for the second time in the half. The West
Ham record signing made no mistake from the spot,
sending the 2016 CAF Africa-based Player of the
Year the wrong way to fire the Black Stars into
the lead. It was the 27-year-old's seventh AFCON
goal, a feat that equalled the all-time record for
Ghana held by Asamoah Gyan and Osei Kofi.

The second half produced occasional end to end
moments, but failed to produce substantial clear
cut chances. The terrible condition of the pitch
also contributed to depriving the game of the
excitement that the talent on display promised.
The only highlight was Onyango once again rescuing
the Cranes with his well-known quality, saving a
dangerous Christian Atsu shot on 80 minutes.

The Black Stars held on to record their first
AFCON opening day win since 2012, when they beat
Botswana 1-0 in a game played in Franceville,
Gabon. The win also signaled a return to winning
ways for the Ghanaians, who were without a win in
their last five games.

For Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic's Cranes, it was a
sad way to mark their return to the AFCON after 39
years out.

Their last AFCON match, coincidentally, has
occurred against none other than Ghana in 1978.

Source - Pulse.com.gh

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