The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Uganda hold Ghana after escaping red card
Ghana 0 Uganda 0
Uganda defender Nicholas Wadada was yellow-carded twice but not sent off as his team forced a shock 0-0 away draw against Ghana Friday in a World Cup qualifier.
Although right-back Wadada was cautioned in each half at the Tamale Sports Stadium in northern Ghana, the Sudanese referee did not flash the expected red card after the second booking.
The Ugandan battled against the pace of winger Frank Acheampong until substituted soon after his lucky escape, and both cautions were the result of illegal tackles from behind.
A Fifa website report of the opening group-phase match in Africa confirmed that Wadada was yellow-carded after 23 and 55 minutes.
Ghana are ranked 22 places above Uganda in the world and were expected to make a winning start as they seek to emulate African record-holders Cameroon and reach four consecutive World Cup tournaments.
Following a slow start in 35 degrees celsius (95 fahrenheit) heat, Ghana controlled possession and had the best chances to win the match in Group E, which includes Congo Brazzaville and Egypt.
Unmarked Jordan Ayew from English second-tier club Aston Villa blazed a far-post volley wide in the opening half and Christian Atsu was also off target after dribbling past several defenders.
Daniel Amartey from reigning English Premier League champions Leicester City had a second-half header from a corner brilliantly tipped over by Uganda goalkeeper and captain Dennis Onyango.
Group E
P W D L F A PTS
Ghana 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Uganda 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Congo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Egypt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Note: group winners qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia (read preview)
I congratulate the Uganda Cranes for holding Ghana to a goalless draw. With focus, World Cup qualification is a great possibility.
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) October 7, 2016
Excellent point by the Cranes https://t.co/LEExcBoDmP
— Kalusha Bwalya (@KalushaPBwalya) October 7, 2016
FullTime @ghanafaofficial 0-0 @UgandaCranes , was tough but a well deserved point by the Cranes @CAF_Online
Advertisement— Kalusha Bwalya (@KalushaPBwalya) October 7, 2016
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LIVE UPDATES
75* We have about fifteen minutes more to go and it’s still deadlock at the Tamale Sports Stadium. ??0-0?? #GoGhana
— Ghana FA (@ghanafaofficial) October 7, 2016
RESTART: We’re back and underway again at the Tamale Sports Stadium: Ghana ? ? ??0-0?? ? ? Uganda #GoGhana #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/AVIYSFAZ2O
— Ghana FA (@ghanafaofficial) October 7, 2016
40* High tempo, ding-dong affairs at the Tamale Sports Stadium, the visitors are possessing very well. ??0-0?? #GoGhana #BlackStars
— Ghana FA (@ghanafaofficial) October 7, 2016
What a chance for the Ghana ?? Black Stars pic.twitter.com/gq60f9hHRq
— Ghana Premier League (@GHPLLive) October 7, 2016
LIVE: The Uganda Cranes have started their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign away in Tamale against Ghana’s Black Stars.
P W D L F A PTS
Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Uganda 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Congo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Egypt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Follow the game via a live tweet feed here:
