AFCON: Ghana Wins, Egypt Held By Mali

Ghana started their AFCON 2017 bid with a 1-0 victory over Uganda at the Stade de Port-Gentil on Tuesday evening.

Andre Ayew scored his seventh Nations Cup for Ghana from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after Ghana’s captain Asamoah Gyan was held back by Isaac Isinde inside the penalty area.

The West Ham forward has now scored one more goal than his father, Abedi Pele.

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Ghana’s victory was overshadowed by the injury to left back Baba Rahman, who was forced to come off in the 39th minute after he picked up hamstring injury.

Uganda, who made their long awaited return to the AFCON, after a 39-year absence, did not really pressure the Ghanian defence, with their best chance coming just before the break, as talisman Farouk Miya was played through, but he could only shoot narrowly wide of the near post.

“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.

In the other game of the night, failed to catch up with Ghana, as they drew with Mali 0-0.

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The Pharaoh’s, who are the most successful team in the Africa Cup of Nations with seven titles, were unable to penetrate a resolute Malian defence.

The game also saw Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, 44, become the oldest player to ever step onto the pitch in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, when he came on for the injured Ahmed El-Shenawy midway through the first half.

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. The Black Stars will face off against Mali, while Egypt and Uganda will go head-to-head in the second match as both teams are still looking for their first win in the tournament.

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