As it happened: Ghana 1 Uganda 0

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS: GROUP D

• Full-time: Ghana 1 Uganda 0. Goal by Andre Ayew

• The sides met for the first time at the AFCON finals since 1978

• Ghana beat Uganda 2-0 at the 1978 final

• Other Group D teams are seven-time champion Egypt and Mali

__________________________

The New Vision team in Gabon

Live reporting by Joseph Kizza (Twitter: @joekizza)

________________________________

9.30pm:   Good night

Okay I am done here for today. Let me go catch the Mali v Egypt match but I'll update you on the developments there HERE.

After tonight's round of games, Group D action will resume on Saturday, with Uganda playing Egypt while Ghana face Mali.

Ghana v Uganda match report HERE.

Cheers!

9.23pm:   'Every game is different'

So how will he approach the next games (against Mali and Egypt)?

"Every game is different. Uganda is a very difficult team to beat," he says after seeing his team pegged back by the Ugandans for long periods of the second half.

"The next game will be different. I don't think it (v Mali) will be an easy game."

9.20pm:   'We can play better' - Grant

Sitting right across, Ghana coach Avrant Grant says the Black Stars can do better than their performance against Uganda, especially the second half.

Talking of how his side bossed the first half, Grant gives credit to his side, saying "at the end of the day, I am happy".

On the extent of Baba Rahman's injury, Grant says they will "need to see the next day what will happen".

9.17pm:   Micho 'proud of team and effort'

The Uganda Cranes coach goes on to say that he is "proud of my team and the effort, and that every player gave their all".

And in reference to Isaac Isinde's error that resulted into a penalty, Micho is keen to take the pressure off the defender. "I don't look at individual mistakes, we play as a team."

For the coming games, against Egypt and Mali, Micho says his side will give in "200 per cent of our all".

9.15pm:   Cranes had 'stage fright' - Micho

Addressing reporters minutes after seeing his side narrowly beaten by Ghana, Uganda Cranes coach Micho says his players had "stage fright" in the first half, considering that it was the first appearance on this stage of the tournament in 39 years.

"In the first half, we have been fully aware that we are on the big stage," he says, before pointing out that "man management and player awareness" was their undoing in the opening period.

Micho says he had to "risk it all" in the second half in search of an equalizer, before congratulating his opposite, "my colleague Avram Grant" for the result, "as a sign of true sportmanship".

COACH REACTIONS NEXT UP

After an absorbing game played under high humidity, let's see what the coaches of the two sides (Uganda and Ghana) have to say at their post-match press conferences.

That coming shortly.

   FULL-TIME: Ghana 1 Uganda 0

Despite late pressure from the Ugandans, The Black Stars hold on to take the three points and lead Group D of the 2017 African Cup of Nations.

Next up, Mali v Egypt at 10pm Ugandan time.

90 mins:   THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME

Can Uganda find the all-important equalizer?

The Cranes huffing and puffing . . .

88 mins:   PENALTY APPEAL

No, says the referee in response to the Ugandans' faint penalty appeals after Shaban Muhammad tumbles in the area.

Time running out for Micho's men.

85 mins:   GREAT SAVE - Onyango

What a save by Cranes keeper Denis Onyango! He keeps his side in the game when Christian Atsu dashes past Joseph Ochaya and blasts goalwards only for the Mamelodi Sundowns keeper to save brilliantly.

 
A minute earlier, The Black Stars had made their final reform, introducing Afriyie Acquah in place of a weary Jordan Ayew.

The Cranes pushing for a late leveler with five minutes left on the clock.

78 mins:   OPEN GAME

As we approach the last minutes of an absorbing match under very humid conditions, the game has opened up and unlike the opening half, it's two-way traffic as Joseph Ochaya makes a good run for it, beats his marker for pace on the left flank but his whipped-in cross goes begging.

On the other end of the pitch meanwhile, Jordan Ayew tries to force his way past the Cranes backline but Denis Onyango easily collects his effort.

Game on!

71 mins:   SUBSTIUTION - Ghana

Perhaps sensing Uganda's resurgence, Ghana's coach Avram Grant is keen to strengthen his midfield by bringing on Emmanuel Badu, who substitutes Asamoah Gyan.

The Ghanaian skipper hands goal-scorer Andre Ayew the captain's armband before the two teammates hug and Gyan marches off the turf.

69 mins:   SUBSTIUTION - Uganda

Isaac Isinde, who gave away a penalty in the first half, makes way for Kampala-based Geoffrey Sserunkuuma as Micho exhausts all his substitutions.

Risk it all, you could say. Throw the men forward. That's the tactician's plan now, it appears.

65 mins:   Cranes brighter

The Ugandans seem to have shaken off the effects of their woeful start to tonight's game and now have better control over the ball as well as spending more periods in the Ghanaians' half.

Improved display.

56 mins:   SUBSTITUTION - Uganda

Coach Micho makes yet another change. This time, he throws on 19-year-old home-based Muhammad Shaban, who plays for Premier League side Onduparaka FC. Off comes William Luwagga Kizito.

50 mins:   Oloya makes swift impact

Moses Oloya's introdution appears to have breathed some life into The Cranes as they surge forward in search of an early equalizer. His fresh legs dart along the right flank but he comes under pressure and has the ball rolling out of play.

The Ugandans, inspired by Ochaya's spirited run up left, had earlier fashioned something goalwards but captain Geoffrey Massa, who had been largely anonymous in the first half, was beaten for pace.

45 mins:   SUBSTITUTION - Uganda

The Cranes make a change coming into the second-half. Vietnam-based Moses Oloya, 24, comes on in place of Mike Azira.

  HALF-TIME: Ghana 1 Uganda 0

The Black Stars take a lead into the break after a dominant first half for Avram Grant's men and in contrast, a forgettable one for Micho's troops.

Time for the Ugandans to get back in the dressing room and do some re-strategizing.

45 mins:   CLOSE! - Miya, then Isinde

Isaac Isinde comes inches close to making amends for his penalty giveaway when a cross from Joseph Ochaya whistles just past, first, Miya's head, and then Isinde's.

Earlier, after making a good run for it, Miya had nearly found the leveler but his right-footed effort hit the side-netting. Very close!

We shall have two minutes of added time.

37 mins:   SUBSTITUTION - Ghana

Ghana's Baba Rahman, injured, is stretchered off the pitch and on comes Frank Acheampong.

The Cranes are struggling to break the shackles of the Ghanaian back as they search for an equalizer before the break.

   GOAL!

Andrew Ayew sends Denis Onyango the wrong way to put Ghana in front. A huge mountain for The Cranes to climb now after what is unfolding to be a forgettable opening half.

Some piece of woeful defending back there by Isinde.

   PENALTY TO GHANA

Isaac Isinde is guilty of a reckless foul on Asamoah Gyan in the box, all in full view of the referee who dashes to point to the spot.

Penalty to Ghana!

Yellow card for Isinde! No excuses for the Ugandan. Guilty as charged.

28 mins:   CLOSE!

The Ugandans will have to thank goalstopper Denis Onyango for that one. Andre Ayew is fed in after brilliant build-up play from the right flank but his left-footed effort is not strong enough. That won't beat the best goalkeeper on the continent.

18 mins:   All Black Stars - Gyan goes close

It's fair to say that the opening 15 or so minutes have been all Ghana as they push for a breakthrough.

First, Atsu beats Joseph Ochaya on the right flank before the intervention of Hassan Wasswa results into the first corner of the game (to Ghana) which bears no fruit in the end.

Minutes later, a Ghanaian player drops a ball in the box but Asamoah Gyan, under pressure, can't get his head onto the cross.

The Cranes are struggling to fashion more than two successive passes.

10 mins:   Ghana pressing

The Black Stars have done well to peg the Ugandans in their own half, and it's coming with lingering dividends as Jordan Ayew appears to cut a menancing presence for the Ugandan backline, along with dangerman Christian Atsu.

6 mins:   Early two-way traffic

Thomas Partey is fed in by Jordan Ayew, who is dashing from the left flank but Partey overcooks it. Cranes keeper Denis Onyango won't have to go  after it.

Earlier, Uganda's Tonny Mawejje had done well to nick the ball off a Ghanaian flanker but after making a good run, his goal-bound shot was too tame for keeper Razak Braimah.

  KICK OFF!

Game on

And tonight's opening game of Group D gets under way as Ghana's Jordan Ayew gets the ball rolling. The centre referee is Joshua Bondo.

Let's get this started.

 6.55pm:   Teams shake hands

 Kickoff shortly . . .

The Cranes of Uganda are wearing red tops and white shorts while the Black Stars of Ghana are donning white shirts with black shorts.

The two sets of teams do the sportsman handshake minutes before kickoff.

6.50pm:   The teams

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

5.35pm:   Uganda's starting lineup

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

Denis Onyango, Dennis Iguma, Joseph Ochaya, Isaac Isinde, Hassan Wasswa, Tonny Mawejje, Baba Kizito, Mike Azira, Farouk Miya, Lukwagga Kizito, Geoffrey Massa (C)

4.05pm:   Micho keeps faith in Shaban

James Bakama - New Vision sports writer in Port Gentil

Coach Micho has kept faith in teenager Mohammad Shaban.

He said at a pre-match press conference that Uganda's footballer of the year had immensely benefitted from the team's international friendlies.

"He is no longer the same player he was before our international friendlies. There is a boost in his confidence," stated Micho.

Shaban's selection as Uganda's top player caused an uproar in the country's soccer fraternity.

 
Most people were of the view that goalkeeper Denis Onyango was a better candidate. Onyango indeed went on to win the CAF award.

But the Onduparaka FC player is not about to be distracted by the past. He is seriously focusing on a good Nations Cup.

He has been coming on as a substitute in Uganda's friendlies.  And indeed he has progressively improved.

"I look forward to good performance and then of course the possibility of being signed on in the more lucrative leagues like Europe," he said.

Shaban stands for the new generation of players who will take over from the likes of long serving Geoffrey Massa.

The Obdupara FC player, who is ardent Chelsea supporter, is well aware of the huge task ahead but has promised to ride the challenge.

"In life nothing comes easy. I am determined not to disappoint coach Micho and the entire country," he stated.

He is also not about to disappoint Onduparaka's soccer mad fans.

Amongst these is a member of the 1978 Cranes team squad that reached the final- Mike Diku.

Diku has high hopes in Shaban. "If he settles in very well, he has a very bright future. He is that kind of player who takes his chances. That's a rare quality. Many of our strikers are too wasteful."

3.30pm:   Get involved - your pictures

 
I love the spirit Uganda Communications Commission team! Tulumbe!!!

 
The Cranes spirit ripples on even up north at Arua One!

Where were you in 1978? If you were exisiting, do you hold any memories of the Uganda Cranes around that time? Did you watch the final.

Why not send us an email on website@newvision.co.ug telling us briefly about what you remember. Feel free to also send us your memorable pictures (both current or past).

It could be on the pitch, with fanmates, a selfie with a player or even you drenched in sweat on the training ground, working hard to one day be like a Majid Musisi or Jackson Mayanja. Blast away!

You can also leave a comment on our Facebook page or get involved on Twitter using the hashtag #AFCON2017.

3.15pm:   Ghana 'are favorites' - Micho

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

 
At a pre-match press conference, Uganda's coach Micho says the team his side is facing today are favorites.

"I expect Ghana to be a group of top individuals. They are favourites. But I will focus on the team I am coaching," said the Serbian tactician.

"Our intention is to fight for the first point, first win and then maybe qualification."

Micho said he wants to make Uganda one of the top ten countries in African football.

2.55pm:   Massa hits back at journalist

James Bakama - New Vision sports writer in Port Gentil

A Ghanaian journalist thought he had floored Uganda Cranes captain Geoffrey Massa when he put it to him that he is past his best.

"It is coming to two years since you scored for the Cranes. So why should we expect much from you?" he asked as everyone went silent in a pre-match press conference.

But trust Massa when it comes hitting back. He first looked irritated but quickly composed himself then replied.

"It is because of one of my goals that you are here asking me that question?"

 

This was in reference to the goal Massa scored in Uganda's win against Botswana.

In June 2015 Uganda got off to a flying start in the Gabon Nations Cup qualifiers courtesy of a goal each from Massa and Brian Umony against Botswana. 
              
Massa, 30, who plays for South African club Baroka, has however since had a dry spell, prompting talk that he is well over the hill. But the striker believes this tournament should serve as a start to a good spell. He has lately also been scoring at Baroka.

He optimistic that the Cranes, finalists the last time they featured at this level 39 years ago, will shine again.

"It is a special feeling to be back at this level. All Ugandans are just waiting. We are determined not to disappoint them."

2.25pm:   Get involved

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

Where were you in 1978? If you were exisiting, do you hold any memories of the Uganda Cranes around that time? Did you watch the final.

Why not send us an email on website@newvision.co.ug telling us briefly about what you remember. Feel free to also send us your memorable pictures (both current or past).

It could be on the pitch, with fanmates, a selfie with a player or even you drenched in sweat on the training ground, working hard to one day be like a Majid Musisi or Jackson Mayanja. Blast away!

You can also leave a comment on our Facebook page or get involved on Twitter using the hashtag #AFCON2017.

For example, check out this nice group photo of Vision Group's Urban TV team . . .

. . . and that of an excited Amos Mwesige of MTN at Namboole Stadium

Not sure which match this one was though, Amos. But from the look of things, Uganda must have been leading!

2.15pm:   'Players trust doc more than coach'

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

"Players must be open to the doctors on the team, not only on issues of injuries on the pitch but also domestic and other personal issues. Many times a player trusts the team doctor more than the coach," says Dr. Mutesasira from his home in Mutundwe - Kisigula.

 
He says a team should have a medical team that is conversant with a wide range of areas like physiotherapy, nutrition, counseling and psychotherapy.

"I used to stay with the players in the camp at Kyambogo or Lugogo those days. I could design the players' menu and check the quality before serving. Sometimes we would travel with own food (maize flour) for some big matches outside the country in case the food by hosts was strange."

As the match proceeds, Dr. Mutesasira says the doctor must not just enjoy the game but be keen on every move to be able to identify the kind of injury sustained by a player and the type of immediate attention and treatment do administer.

This is so that by the time you run from the bench to the player you must have assessed the assistance to administer because sometimes he is speechless.

Dr. Mutesasira handled the Cranes team as full time doctor from between 1977-1983.

2.05pm:   'Be open to team doctors'

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

Veteran sports medicine doctors have reiterated the need for players to be 100% open to the medical personnel in order to have a formidable team to compete favorably at the Nations Cup.

And one of them is Dr. Timothy Mutesasira, who guided The Cranes to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana in 1978 as team doctor.

 
A former MP for Busiro East and also the proprietor for Medicare Center, Dr. Mutesasira says that the relationship he had with the players in 1978 contributed highly in the team success - in addition to having some of the best talented players Uganda has ever produced.

1.40pm:   'The stage is set'

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

"The stage is set. Final touches on the pitches," says New Vision chief football writer who is already pitchside and has managed to give us a sneak-peek into the beautiful 20,000-seat stadium where tonight's Group C games will be played.

1.20pm:   Cranes return is 'destiny'

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

Uganda Cranes coach Micho says it was Uganda's destiny to make their long-awaited return to the Africa Cup of Nations against Ghana as the teams prepare to meet later today.

 
"I feel honoured, pleased and privileged to be here. We have worked very hard in Uganda to make this happen. Thirty-plus million people have dreamt to have us here," said the Serbian Sredojevic, better known by his nickname "Micho".

"So many things you can escape but destiny you cannot -- the last game of Uganda was in the final of the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. Our first match back after 39 years is against Ghana so there is that symbolic aspect."

Read full story HERE

12.40pm:   'Huge' flag business

Fred Kaweesi - New Vision chief football writer in Port Gentil

"It is a huge flag-selling business here (Port Gentil). Ugandan flags, though, are not good business here probably because we are outnumbered.

"I have just arrived at the stadium and the weather is very humid. Malian fans are outnumbering the rest."

 
Mali will play Egypt in the second Group D game at 10pm Ugandan time.

Well Fred, the Ugandan flag may not be selling like hot cake over there, but at least it's flying high at the stadium like the rest of the 15 other nations' flags.

12.20pm:   In 1978, 'I was in Primary Two'

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

Meanwhile, the obstetrics and gynecologists at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital have called up on all Ugandans to massively support the Uganda Cranes in Gabon.

 
"Thirty-nine years is a very long time," said Dr.Celestine Barigye, the hospital director, on Tuesday.

"In 1978 I was in Primary Two. I didn't know about soccer when we last qualified. But when we have a bigger achievement like this of Uganda Cranes qualifying to join other teams in Africa, we celebrate it. This is an achievement which all Ugandans should join to celebrate and support our team."

Where were you in 1978? If you were exisiting, do you hold any memories of the Uganda Cranes around that time? Did you watch the final.

Why not send us an email on website@newvision.co.ug telling us briefly about what you remember. Feel free to also send us your memorable pictures (both current or past).

It could be on the pitch, with fanmates, a selfie with a player or even you drenched in sweat on the training ground, working hard to one day be like a Majid Musisi or Jackson Mayanja. Blast away!

12.05pm:   Micho v Grant

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

Battle of Titans?

Well, not quite per se, but you can look at today's battle on the pitch in whatever way you wish.

Both Uganda and Ghana are coached by foreign coaches: while Serb Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic handles The Cranes, Israeli Avram Grant, the former Chelsea and West Ham manager, coaches The Black Stars.

That said, here are five facts about Uganda v Ghana that you may be interested in knowing.

11.55am:   The Vision Group family

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

And an aerial shot of members of staff of Vision Group, including CEO Robert Kabushenga and Editor-in-Chief Barbara Kaija on a hot Tuesday morning . . .

11.45am:   Fan pictures

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

As The Cranes camp gets set for their first game in Gabon, back home the vibe around, as you would expect, is all 'Cranes-oyee!-Cranes-tulumbe!'. It's a Tuesday but with fans wearing their The Cranes jerseys to work, you would be excused to have thought you woke up on a weekend morning!

New Vision's Jacquiline Emodek, Henry Sekanjako and Gloria Nakajubi certainly read the dressing-the-part script.

Nice, guys!

11.40am:   'We are back!'

Ghana v Uganda (7pm)

Hello and welcome to the buildup of a historic game for The Uganda Cranes.

"We are back!" screams a Ugandan supporter, an earshot away from me.

Such is the local excitement as, after nearly four decades of a no-show, the Ugandan flag is once again flying at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

"Bring them on!" bellows another Ugandan fan wielding a vuvuzela and in full Uganda Cranes 'armour'. Colourful, I must say!

I'll bring you pictures of some excited fans shortly.

2.55pm:   Massa hits back at journalist

James Bakama - New Vision sports writer in Port Gentil

A Ghanaian journalist thought he had floored Uganda Cranes captain Geoffrey Massa when he put it to him that he is past his best.

"It is coming to two years since you scored for the Cranes. So why should we expect much from you?" he asked as everyone went silent in a pre-match press conference.