The Cranes of Uganda put on a battling performance to hold the Black Stars to a 1-1 draw in Kumasi in the opening Group E World Cup qualifier.
In fact the Ugandans would feel hard done by on being unable to collect maximum points, as a soft second half penalty for a non-existent foul on Abdul Majeed Warris is what handed the Black Stars the equaliser.
The East Africans were the more motivated and focused side on the day, and it showed as they came very close to leaving Kumasi with the scalp of the group favourites.
In front of a packed but unsupportive Kumasi sports stadium, the Stars were unable to muster any sort of performance to bring the fans back to their side.
Kwesi Appiah named a squad very similar to his starting 11 at the world cup, returnee Jeffrey Schlupp the only new name in the squad from Brazil.
The Stars’ created a couple of good chances early in the first half, but Ugandan goalkeeper, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Dennis Onyango, was in the form of his life.
He first saved a great header from Gyan, who connected to Atsu’s cross after some brilliant work on the right by the Everton winger.
He then calmly collected an Andre Ayew shot, before making another great save after Gyan met a floating ball into the box first time.
Uganda scored just before the break, Ugandan midfielder Mawejje’s shot from the edge of the box skidding away from Fatau Dauda.