Of Cranes’ slow start, tourney of few goals
Uganda's squad (back L-R) midfielder Hassan Wasswa, midfielder Geoffrey Kizito, midfielder Mike Azira, defender Joseph Ochaya, goalkeeper Denis Onyango, forward Geoffrey Massa, (L-R) defender Denis Iguma, midfielder Tony Mawejje, forward Farouk Miya, defender Isaac Isinde and forward Luwagga William Kizito pose for a group picture ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana and Uganda in Port-Gentil on January 17, 2017. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Cranes’ have won just once of their first ties in six editions, the 3-1 win over Congo-Brazzaville at the 1978 showpiece in Ghana.
- Phillip Omondi, Eddie Semwanga and Godfrey Kisitu scored on March 6, 1978 at Kumasi Sports Stadium.
Television adverts and billboard pictures of the official tournament mascot Samba dancing along the different city streets here depict that sweet vibe about the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The anxious fans along routes to the different stadiums on match days paint the picture even better. However, that has not reflected well on the field of play thus far.
After each of the 16 teams had a feel of 90 minutes of football, only 12 had been witnessed from eight matches in four groups on Tuesday night. The climax to Match Day One had four-time winners Ghana claim a 1-0 win over Uganda with a 32nd minute penalty by Andre Ayew sorting the repeat of the 1978 Afcon final.
In comparison with the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea, 19 goals goals were scored and even 2013 showpiece in South Africa had 13 goals from the first eight matches.
“Happy with the three points but we can play better,” Ghana coach Avram Grant said of the result. By then, Ghana joined Senegal and DR Congo as only three teams that had won a match. I believe we shall improve as the tournament progresses. That’s what we need in a big tournament,” the Israeli boss added.
And that Group D opener was followed by goalless draw between Egypt and Mali at the Stade de Port-Gentil. Football is about goals and we had an element of stage fright,” Cranes’ coach Micho Sredojevic said in the post-match press conference.
“We had a mistake that is very hard to explain,” he said of Isaac Isinde’s foul on Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan after an error that resulted into a penalty. Despite the 39-year lull from this showpiece and the marging of the result against the Black Stars, Uganda’s record in opening matches at Afcon is untidy.
Cranes’ have won just once of their first ties in six editions, the 3-1 win over Congo-Brazzaville at the 1978 showpiece in Ghana. Phillip Omondi, Eddie Semwanga and Godfrey Kisitu scored on March 6, 1978 at Kumasi Sports Stadium.
