Ghana’s head coach Avram Grant has praised Uganda Cranes despite his team picking a slim 1-0 win against the Cecafa regional champions on Tuesday.
The Black Stars of Ghana needed a 31st minute penalty converted by Andre Ayew to win the Group D opening match at the on-going 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Gabon.
“Playing Uganda Cranes is always difficult. Although we won the game I give them a lot of credit because they played well especially in the second half,” said the former Chelsea coach.
The Cranes started the game at the Stade de Port Gentil with less assuredness than their counterparts – understandably since for all this was the biggest international tournament of their playing careers. Cranes gave the ball away at the slightest prodding failing to string any passes together.
In the first half, Ghana was clearly the better team although African Player of the Year (based in Africa) Dennis Onyango hardly had a chance to save despite Ghana’s dominance.
After some two missed headed attempts by skipper Asamoah Gyan, Ugandan defender Isaac Isinde fouled the striker in the box for the referee to award a penalty. Andre Ayew sent goalkeeper Onyango the wrong side to give his side a 1-0 lead.
In the second half Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic made some changes bringing on Moses Oloya, Geoffrey Sserunkuma and Muhammad Shaban who changed the game.
With three strikers on, Uganda pegged Ghana back with the game almost played entirely in one half, but they still failed to take their chances through Farouk Miya and Tony Mawejje.
With their quality and the game widely open, Ghana still posed a threat, and almost doubled their lead through Christian Atsu but his shot was saved by Onyango at close range late on.
Uganda’s skipper Geoffrey Massa was happy with the team’s performance in Afcon after 39 years. “We played well but failed to score. “We now need to beat Egypt on Saturday,” added Massa.
With the second game of Group D ending 0-0 between Mali and Egypt, it is not all gloom for Uganda.