The Black stars scored through a penalty after Isaac Inside lost control of the ball and pulled Asmoah Gyan leaving the referee with no choice but to award Ghana the penalty.

Westham striker Andre “Dede” Ayew stepped up and converted to spot-kick in the 32nd minute   which eased Ghana to a narrow 1-0 win against the Cranes.

Ayew’s goal means he has now scored seven Nations Cup finals goal – one more than his father and legendary former Ghana captain, Abedi Pele scored. But he remains one African title behind his father, who lifted the trophy in 1982.

Ghana missed several chances through Gyan,Christian Atsu,Jordan Ayew were all guilty of failing to beat Uganda’s goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.

Ghana played generally a defensive game in the second half since they were defending their lead.

Uganda were left frustrated on their return to the Nations Cup after 39 years of absence when they failed to get anything from the game.

The Cranes created few goal scoring opportunities with the likes of Faruku Miya,Geofrey Massa,Muhammed Shaban and Geoffrey Sserunkuma failing to find the back of the net.

Meanwhile,the other group D match,Egypt played out a goalless draw against Mali giving hope to the Uganda Cranes of qualification.

Ghana will next take on Mali on 21st January while Uganda will face record seven-time champions Egypt on the same day.

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The Black stars are one of the regulars in the continental competition whereas Uganda are making a return after 39 years.

The only previous Cup of Nations game between the two countries was the 1978 final which hosts Ghana won 2-0 in Accra.
The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 0-0 draw in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, a game which was played at Tamale Stadium on the 7^th October 2016.

Ghana has won the Cup of Nations in 1963, 1978, 1965 and 1982 while Uganda’s best achievement was runners up in 1978.

Uganda are the only East Africa nation in Gabon and have a battle on their hands if they are get out of their group with tough ties against Mali and one of the tournament favorites Egypt .

Uganda are under Serbian tactician Milutin “Micho” Sredojovic whereas Ghana are coached by Avram Grant.

Players to watch:

Uganda

Goalkeeper Dennis Onyango who was named as the best African-based player of 2016 by the Confederation of African Football after helping South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to African Champions League glory will be vital for his country

Ghana

West Ham’s Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew who has recently come back from injury will look to help his country against the Uganda Cranes.

What to expect

The Cranes will hope for a good start in their opening game to stand any chance of qualifying for the next round though Ghana are no push-overs.

SQUADS

GHANA SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Briamah Razak (Cordoba, Spain)

Richard Ofori (All Stars, Ghana)

Fatau Dauda (Ashanti Gold, Ghana)

Defenders

Andy Yiadom (Barnsley, England)

Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA)

Baba Rahman (Schalke 04, Germany)

Daniel Amarte (Leicester, England)

Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey)

Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium)

Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA)

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain)

Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy)

Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England)

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy)

Wakaso Mubarak (Panathanaikos, Greece)

Ebenezer Ofori (AIK, Sweden)

Samuel Tetteh (FC Liefering, Austria)

Forwards

Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ahli, UAE)

Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England)

Andre Ayew (West Ham, England)

Bernard Tekpetey (Schalke 04, Germany)

Ebenezer Assifuah (Le Havre, France)

UGANDA SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Salim Jamal Magoola (Al Merreikh, Sudan)

Robert Odongkara (Saint George, Ethiopia)

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa)

Defenders 

Timothy Dennis Awany (KCCA, Uganda)

Joseph Ochaya (KCCA)

Shafiq Batambuze (Tusker, Kenya)

Denis Iguma (Al Ahed, Lebanon)

Isaac Isinde (Unattached)

Murushid Juuko (Simba, Tanzania)

Nicholas Wadada (Vipers, Uganda)

Midfielders

Khalid Aucho (Baroka, South Africa)

Mike Azira (Colorado Rapids, USA)

Geoffrey Kizito (Than Quang Ninh, Vietnam)

William Luwagga Kizito (Rio Ave, Portugal)

Tony Mawejje (Thotur, Iceland)

Hassan Wasswa (Nijmeh, Lebabon)

Moses Oloya (Hanoi T and T, Vietnam)

Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia, Kenya)

Forwards

Geoffrey Massa (Baroka, South Africa)

Faruku Miya (Standard Liege, Belgium)

Yunus Sentamu (Ilves, Finland)

Geoffrey Sserunkuma (KCCA, Uganda)

Muhammed Shaban (Onduparaka, Uganda)

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Yasushi Endo put the Antlers ahead two minutes after the hour mark before Mu Kanazaki sealed it with the second in the 88th minute.

Mamelodi Sundowns, representing the African continent nearly broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when Thapelo Morena’s low effort was saved by Sogahata.

Meanwhile, Antlers started seeing more of the ball as the half went on, although they struggled mount any serious attempts at Denis Onyango’s goal in the opening 25 minutes.

Sundowns should have broken the deadlock after 29 minutes when Percy Tau missed a one-on-one opportunity, before Khama Billiat blazed over from six-yards out a minute later.

It was one way traffic as Antlers had Sogahata to thank for keeping Sundowns at bay, as he produced a number of fine saves over the course of the first half.

The Japanese outfit, meanwhile, offered very little going forward and register a single shot in the opening 45 minutes.

Antlers were the better side in the second half, as Sundowns were restricted to counter attacks.

The Japanese outfit then broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when Endo fired past Dennis Onyango in the Sundowns goal posts.

Pitso Mosimane responded by introducing defender Siyanda Zwane for the in-effective Leonardo Castro.

Sundowns continued to push for an equalizing goal and also threw on Anthony Laffor and Sibusiso Vilakazi for the final 15 minutes.

However, Antlers sealed the win in the 87th minute, as substitute Mu Kanazaki was afford time in the box and placed the ball into the bottom corner.

Sundowns will now play in the 5th place final against Jeonbuk Motors on Wednesday.

Antlers take on Columbian side Copa Libertadores winners Atletico Nacionale in Osaka.

Line ups:

Sundowns: 36. Onyango, 27. Morena (Laffor 70′), 6. Arendse, 2. Nascimento, 4. Langerman, 8. Kekana, 13. Mabunda, 7. Dolly, 22. Tau, 28. Billiat (Vilakazi 78′), 25. Castro (Zwane 65′).

Antlers: 21. Sogahata, 3. Shoji, 6. Nagaki, 8. Shoma, 10. Shibasaki, 13. Nakamura, 16. Shuto, 18. Akasaki, 22. Daigo, 23. Ueda, 25. Endo.

The full list of fixtures:

Match 1

8th December, Yokohama: Kashima Antlers 2-1 Aukland Citya

Match 2: 11th December, Osaka: Jeonbuk Hyandai 1-2 America

Match 3: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-2 Kashima Antlers

Match 4: 14th December: Jeonbuk Hyandai vs Kashima Antlers

Match 5

Osaka: Atletico Nacionale vs Kashima Antlers

Match 6

15th December, Yokohama: Winner Match 2 vs Real Madrid

Match 7

18th December, Yokohama: (Third Place) – Loser Match 6 v Loser Match 5

Match 8

FINAL

Yokahama

Winner Match 6 vs Winner Match 5

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Micho battles it out with DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge, Mamelodi Sundowns Pitso Mosimane and Mo Bejaia coach Nacer Sandjak with the other being Florence Omagbemi, the coach of Nigeria’s women national team.

The Cranes team has been shortlisted alongside Nigeria U-23, Senegal and Guinea Bissau national teams, the Nigerian Women’s football team and DR Congo – the CHAN winners.

The winners will be decided by votes from the CAF Technical & Development, Media Committees and a panel of 20 experts (Journalists, TV consultants) except Fair Play, Legend and Platinum awards, which are not subject to vote. For this year, there will be no votes for the Youth National Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, the Referee of the Year will be voted only by the CAF Referees Committee. The winners will be announced at the Glo-CAF Awards Gala scheduled for Thursday, January 5, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.

African Player of the Year

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)
• Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
• Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
• Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma)
• Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City)

African Player of the Year (Based in Africa),

• Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns & Zimbabwe)
• Keegan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
• Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe & Zambia)
• Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
• Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns & Uganda)

Women’s Player of the Year

• Asisat OSHOALA (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)
• Elizabeth Addo (Ghana & Kvarnsvedensik)
• Gabrielle ABOUDI ONGUENE (Cameroon & Rossiyanka)
• Janine VAN WYK (South Africa & JVW)
• Raissa FEUDJIO TCHUANYO (Cameroon & Aland United)

Most promising Talent

• Elia MESCHAK (DR Congo & TP Mazembe)
• Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City)
• Naby KEITA (Guinea & RB Leipzig)
• Oghenekaro ETEBO (Nigeria & CD Feirense)
• Ramadan SOBHI (Egypt & Stoke City

Youth Player of the Year

• Alex IWOBI (Nigeria & Arsenal)
• Eric AYIAH (Ghana U-17)
• Franck KESSIE (Cote d’Ivoire & Atalanta)
• Sandra OWUSU-ANSAH (Ghana & Supreme Ladies)
• Sidiki MAIGA (Mali U-20)

Coach of the Year

• Florent IBENGE (DR Congo)
• Milutin ‘Micho’ SREDOJEVIC (Uganda)
• Pitso MOSIMANE (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Nacer SANDJAK (MO Bejaia)
• Florence OMAGBEMI (Nigeria women’s national team)

Referee of the Year

• Papa Gasama, Gambia
• Grishea Gehead, Egypt
• Malang Diedhiou, Senegal

Club of the Year

• Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
• MO Bejaia (Algeria)
• TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
• Zamalek (Egypt)
• Zesco United (Zambia)

National Team of the Year

• DR Congo
• Guinea Bissau
• Nigeria U-23
• Senegal
• Uganda

Women’s National Team of the Year

• Cameroon
• Ghana
• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

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Cranes skipper Geoffrey Massa opened the scoring early in the game before a brace from Vipers SC star player Faruku Miya secured a memorable display.

Farouk Miya celebrates after scoring against Togo

Massa scored from a 20 yard thunderbolt that left Djehani Gussad with no chance giving the cranes a 1-0 lead with just four minutes played.

The visitors pilled pressure after going down but failed to break the cranes defence commanded by goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.

Both Uganda and Togo were forced into early substitutions with Cranes replacing injured Khalid Aucho for Geoffrey Kizito while Togo brought Mèmè Placca Fessou for skipper Serge Akakpo.

Cranes continued to press for the second goal and got the breakthrough when an excellent move involving Luwagga Kizito and Godfrey Walusimbi was finished off by Vipers SC star Miya .

With the Uganda Cranes cruising in full gear, Miya sealed the game when he volleyed in a third goal from a brilliant walusimbi cross which was headed back by Massa.

Uganda coach Sredojevic Micho said the Togolese side is not an easy side stating how his boys followed his instructions to score early goals in the match.

“The Togolese side is hard but my boys followed my instructions to score early goals,” he said.

Uganda XI Against Togo:
Dennis Onyango (GK), Iguma Dennis, Joseph Ochaya, Murushidi Juuko, Isaac Isinde, Aucho Khalidi, Tonny Mawejje, William Luwaga Kizito, Miya Farouk, Geoffrey Massa (Capt), Godfrey Walusimbi.

Subs
Robert Ondgokara (GK), Salim Jamal (GK), Oloya Moses, Geoffrey Baba Kizito, Ceaser Okhuti, Umony Brian, Ivan Bukenya, Hamis Diego Kiiza

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