By Mark Namanya in Port-Gentil Credit goalkeeper Denis Onyango or the Caf National Team of the Year award for the new-found respect accorded to Uganda Cranes these days. Once upon a time they were viewed as paperweights of African football, but that perception is now consigned in the history bin. Uganda Cranes has been one of Africas most improved sides in the last 5-6 years, says Nigeria journalist Gordon Emeji. Even when the team was not qualifying you could tell that it was a matter

Ghanaian fans bracing to support Uganda ahead of the meeting of the two nations in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opener on Tuesday,radio journalist Mac-Paradise Okocha has claimed. The Black Stars have lost love since country's wrecked 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil. The team held the nation at ransom, threatening not to honourthe match with Portugal if their $3m bonuses had not been delivered prior to kick-off. The world watched in shock when the money was flown to the Brazilian

Uganda coachMicho Sredojevicbelieves the underdog tag "suits" his side ahead of their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Ghana on Tuesday. The Cranes lost 3-0 to champions Ivory Coast in their final warm-up game last week. The East Africans are making a return to the top African football for the first time in over 30-years and the Serbian hopes to cause an upset against the four-time African champions. I can tell you that seeing all this football and results, we have strong

The Black Stars have no major injury concerns as they look to start the Africa Cup of Nations campaign on the right footing. There were concerns over the fitness of skipper of the side Asamoah Gyan but the Al Ahly striker has looked sharp in training and even scored in the only pre-season game the team has played. Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey has also trained full throttle giving Avram Grant a full house ahead of holding his final training session today. Ghana is in group D of

Jeffrey Schlupp made his Crystal Palace debut on Saturday in their 3-0 heavy defeat at West Ham United in the English Premier League. The Ghana international was introduced in the 81st to replace Joseph Ledley at the Olympic Stadium. Schlupp completed 12m switch from Leicester City last Friday and signed a four-and-half-year deal with the London club. The 24-year-old struggled for game time at champions Leicester and had to force his way out....

Fans of the Black Stars have so far struggled to get close to the team since their arrival in Gabon on Saturday because of the tight security at the team hotel. The Black Stars arrived in Gabon on Saturday after technical issues with the flight meant they delayed in arriving. Despite an uncertainty in their arrival hundreds of fans met them at the hotel but were unfortunately denied from getting autographs and welcome from the fans who waiting for them outside....

Ghana coach Avram Grant is expected to make changes to his team that will play against Uganda on Tuesday. Ghana will make their bow in the competition on Tuesday against the highly fancied Cranes in Port Gentil. There are reports in Gabon that experienced goalkeeper Fatau Dauda has shown great form in the competition and is racing for a starting slot on Tuesday. Asamoah Gyan is also fit and is likely to start while Thomas Partey is pushing Afriyie for a starting place in the team. Avram

Michael Osei has dispelled rumours he was considering his future at Asante Kotoko after missing out on the substantive coaching job. Osei had been in an acting capacity since last season but was not confirmed and the club have signed Croatian Zdravko Lugarusic has been appointed as the head coach of the club. But the former club striker is ready to work with the new boss this season. ''I am surprise, because I have not said or taken that decision, I dont know where is coming from,''

By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo in Port-Gentil Four months have passed since Uganda broke the chains of incarceration to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after 39 years. The elation that surrounded generations of Ugandans after Farouk Miyas 34th minute goal against Comoros has died. Uganda Cranes must now see that bulls eye of the biennial continental tournament that kicked off in Gabon on Saturday. As many 19 Afcon qualifying editions have passed before the national team could be accepted

I remember my first AFCON; it was in 1990, my sister, Naa Ayeley, wasnt even born yet. Today, Naa is a grown woman, a full contributing member of society. Naa doesnt get it why we even bother with the Black Stars any more. She belongs to the group that have decided their hearts strings cant support the roller coaster that the Black Stars have become and if you consider that the Stars current performance is at a low ebb (zero wins in 5 games and only 2 goals scored), you can understand her apathy.

The Black Stars held their first training session on Sunday in Port Gentil ahead of the Group D opener against Uganda on Tuesday. All 23 players took in the one hour practice which started at 6pm local time. There were no injury concerns and the team look focused and determined to make a bright start. Avram Grant and his boys will hit the training pitch on Monday afternoon to finalize preparations for the match against the Cranes. Another video via @PulseGhana as Black Stars held their

The 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Gabon on 14 January, pitting the stars of the continent against each other for Africa's greatest sporting prize. Gabon 2017 promises to be among the most spectacular tournaments yet, boasting new stadia, elite squads and huge audiences, although the host nation is suffering a severe economic downturn causing by falling oil prices. CNN breaks down the key figures that tell the story of AFCON 2017.    

Netherlands-based attacker Elvis Manu is full of well wishes for Ghana's Black Stars for 2017 AFCON campaign. The Brighton forward who is on loan at Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles hopes the Black Stars will lift the ultimate in Gabon. Ghana have not won the AFCON title since 1982 and Avram Grant's charges are determined to end their 35-year trophy drought. And, the former Dutch U21 international who has switched his nationality to represent the West African giants says he hopes