Ayew guides Ghana past Uganda in lacklustre Group D opener

A needless penalty, conceded by Isaac Isinde and converted by Andre Ayew, was enough to set Ghana away, but their second-half performance will worry their manager, Avram Grant.

Ghana started well enough, Asamoah Gyan missing two presentable headers after good right-wing crosses from Harrison Afful and Christian Atsu, and Ayew missing after mistiming his run to meet a cut-back from his brother, forcing his body into a left-footed shot and losing all power in the process.

With the chances flowing it was no great surprise when Ghana took the lead. Isinde pulled back Gyan just inside the box with no real danger imminent, he was booked, and Andre Ayew calmly tucked the penalty home.

In the second half, though, Uganda had a real go, piling men forward and pumpint the ball forward in their direction. They could not, however, create any proper chances - their best of the game actually fell to Farouk Miya just before the break, who went for a near post gap rather than across goal when sent through by Geofrey Massa, with his shot squirting wide.

Ghana hung on and will be satisfied to begin the tournament with a win, but if they do not improve in quality and intensity they might still leave the competition at the end of the group stages.

What does Avram Grant do? Ghana, already struggling in World Cup qualifying, have the players to win this competition. But it is hard to imagine any other manager extracting less from them, and this was yet another deeply disappointing performance. Particularly in the second half, they lacked intensity, and yet Grant did very little about it, not making a change until the 72nd minute. The senior players need to get hold of things, because otherwise, they will soon be going home.

Christian Atsu (Ghana) There are no outstanding candidates, though Tonny Mawejje did well for Uganda. But the moments of excitement, such they were, were supplied by Atsu, who was far too quick and tricky for Joseph Ochaya. If he can get himself going, Ghana have a chance.

Ghana: Brimah 6, Afful 7, Amartey 6, Boye 6, Rahman 6, Andre Ayew 7, Wakaso 5, Partey 5, Atsu 7, Jordan Ayew 6, Asamoah Gyan 5. Subs: Acheampong 6, Badu 6, Acquah 6.

Uganda: Onyango 7, Ochaya 5, Wasswa 6, Isinde 5, Iguma 6, Kizito 6 Luwaga 6, Azira 6, Mawejje 7, Miya 5, Massa 6. Subs: Oloya 6, Shaban 7, Serunkuma 6.

18’ - This is more like it, Amartey finding Atsu, who steps over inside and outside then picks the latter, absolutely rinsing Ochaya to reach the line, drilling a low cross into Isinde's shins. The corner comes to nothing, but Ghana maintain the pressure, and Afful swings over a delicious cross for Gyan, who's up first! But under just enough pressure from Kizito, he heads just wide.

20’ - Ghana are coming now, and Atsu curves another lovely cross into the box, Gyan is up first, and again he nods down, but just wide.

29’ - Lovely from Ghana, Mubarak finding Atsu, who turns a great ball down the line, first-time, for Jordan Ayew. This time, he gets the cut-back right, picking out his brother arriving into the box, and he should score, but contorts his position and allows the ball across his body in order to use his left foot and Onyango saves low by his right foot.

30’ - RIDICULOUS BEHAVIOUR! PENALTY TO GHANA! Gyan diddles Inside on the corner of the box, Inside clumsily pulls him back, earning himself a yellow card in the process, and up steps Andre Ayew.

31’ - GOAL! Ghana 1-0 Uganda (Ayew, A penalty) Ayew waits for Onyango to go left and curves a gentle shot high down the middle. The Ghanaians celebrate with some formation dancing.

43’ - But here come Uganda, Mubarak falling over in midfield and Massa finding Miya, hurtling into the box. He's right of centre, and should go across goal, but can't get body and foot around the ball, sending it wide via the outside of the near post.