Uganda win Chan opener

Johannesburg - Uganda shocked 2013 Afcon runners-up Burkina Faso to go top of group B with a 2-1 win in their African Nations Championship opener at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday.

The hero for the east-African side was teenage striker Yunus Sentamu, who scored both goals and was a constant threat all evening long for Uganda, who are coached by former Olando Pirates manager Milutin Sredojevic.

The Cranes were deserved victors, playing some excellent football with a solid display by the central midfielders ensuring plenty of ball and forward momentum.

Uganda were especially dominant in a first half which saw them testing Burkina Faso keeper Mohamed Kabore several times within the opening 10 minutes.

The Cranes fired the opening salvo three minutes into the match with Uganda defender and captain Denis Iguma's attempt easily dealt with by Kabore.

The breakthrough came on 15 minutes when Sentamu pounced on an error in the Stallions' defence, showing power and balance to wrong-foot Kabore before sending the ball into an empty net.

The west African side had looked lethargic and off the pace in the first stanza, but showed a marked improvement after the restart.

There was a good chance to level matters just before the hour mark, but midfielder Sidiki Aboubacar Traore miscued his volley from just 10-yards out.

Instead it was Uganda who were to score again, Sentamu sending a cushioned volley into the roof of the net after some outstanding work and a pin-point cross from the right flank by Francis Olaki.

Chances came and went at both ends in what was an entertaining match before the Stallions finally got on the score-sheet, Cyril Bayala applying the finishing touch after a set-piece from out wide had been worked into his path.

Olaki was denied a third goal for the Cranes when his shot was deflected over the bar, following a scintillating run and cross from Sentamu.