Ghana 1 Uganda 0: West Ham striker Andre Ayew scores only goal of the game from the spot as Black Stars beat the Cranes

ANDREW AYEW scored from the penalty spot to hand Ghana all three points in the opening match of their campaign.

Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan was pulled back before the West Ham forward smashed down the middle to score the only goal of the game.

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Ghana were the better side and had the better of the chances against a Uganda side that are playing in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1978.

The Black Stars, who are managed by former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, squandered some good chances to kill the game off.

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Gyan missed with two decent headers before Ayew and Newcastle's Christian Atsu saw efforts saved by Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

Grant's team were happy to sit back after taking the lead, confident that Uganda did not have the quality to break down their stubborn defence.

Ghana, among the favourites to win the competition having been beaten in the final last time, next face Mali on Saturday.