Ayew Gives Ghana Winning Start, Egypt Draw On Comeback
Muhammad Rameez Published January 18, 2017 | 09:30 AM
PORT-GENTIL, Gabon, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jan, 2017 ) - Runners-up in 2015, Ghana started their latest Africa Cup of Nations bid with victory over Uganda thanks to Andre Ayew's penalty on Tuesday, while Egypt drew 0-0 with Mali on their long-awaited return to the tournament.
A terrible playing surface in Port-Gentil contributed to making it a disappointing day of football, without a goal from open play, that completed the first round of fixtures in the group stage of this year's competition in Gabon.
Ghana are now in control of Group D and are one of only three teams to have won a match so far along with Senegal and DR Congo. West Ham United star Ayew converted from the spot just after the half-hour mark in the day's first game after Isaac Isinde had fouled Asamoah Gyan inside the area.
Ghana then withstood Ugandan pressure in the second half to win 1-0 and end their poor recent record against the Cranes that had seen them fail to win in three encounters in qualifying for the 2015 Cup of Nations and 2018 World Cup.
"We can play better.
In the first half we dominated the game but in the second half we knew the result was the most important thing and we played to win," said Ghana's Israeli coach Avram Grant.
The Black stars, who lost on penalties to the Ivory Coast in the 2015 final, are looking to win the trophy for the first since 1982. Their hopes will not be helped if they lose left-back Abdul Rahman Baba of Schalke, who was stretchered off in the first half with an apparent hamstring injury.
Grant later described the player's prospects of recovering as "50-50". Uganda were making their first appearance at the Cup of Nations since 1978, when they lost to Ghana in the final, and they will have to wait a little longer for their first goal and win at the competition in almost four decades.
"In 39 years we have not been there and in the first half we had an element of stage fright," admitted the Cranes' Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic. Uganda will next take on Egypt, who made their own comeback at the Cup of Nations after a seven-year absence in a 0-0 stalemate with Mali.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
LCCI language courses from May 1
Governor for service oriented governance in Punjab
Survivors tell of panic at C.Africa river boat disaster
Enrolment campaign, awareness walk held in Lower Chitral
“Say no to plastic- yes to tress” campaign kicks off in Attock
'PML-N secures people's trust in by-polls'
More Stories From Sports
-
Ruben Amorim: Portugal's next coaching superstar, tipped for Liverpool
1 hour ago -
Djokovic skips Madrid Open but is aiming for Rome
3 hours ago -
WADA: 'No credible evidence of wrongdoing' in Chinese swimming case
15 hours ago -
Actress Nazish Jahangir's Babar Azam marriage response goes viral
17 hours ago -
Italy icon Cannavaro named Udinese boss after Cioffi sacked
17 hours ago -
Sabir, Mujahid win mind game as first South Punjab Chess Fair concludes
19 hours ago
-
Muhammad Amir says can’t guarantee about making mistakes
20 hours ago -
Peshawar upset strong Swat in PM Youth Talent Hunt Boys & Girls Table Tennis
20 hours ago -
Sydney Airport sees passenger traffic closer to pre-pandemic levels
1 day ago -
Australian swim coach rejects claims of systemic Chinese doping
1 day ago -
Chapman leads New Zealand to a comfortable victory in third T20I
1 day ago -
New Zealand outplay Pakistan by 7 wickets in third T20I
2 days ago