5:38pm read the time I entered my favourite sports pub. Disinclined to miss a thing, I politely request Godfrey Tinkamanyire [one of the bar attenders] to hand over the remote to me.
I was 80minutes away from witnessing something Ugandans under the age of 40 had never seen so any channel other than one that had Uganda-Ghana game was de trop.
Tinkamanyire complied and yes, you guessed right, I had the remote in my safe hands.
Ghana arrived in a very buoyant mood. Led by their vice-captain Andre Dede Ayew, the Black Stars were visibly upbeat. Avram Grant, hardly grinning was all smiles.
Uganda Cranes on the other hand were calm and collected. Seeing them step out of the bus ready to lift the country’s flag at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 39 years was a historic sight for me.
In the Super Sport studios, host Robert Marawa called for predictions. The two ‘opponents’ in the building – David Obua and Sammy Kuffour assertively predicted wins for their respective countries.
For obvious reasons, I sided with Obua. However, being our first appearance since 1978 and against a four time champion, I was skeptical. While we have had a decent run against Ghana in recent meetings, this was a completely different game and stage.
Matters crossed to the commentator of the day and the moment 41 million Ugandans had been waiting for arrived.
After 39 years of waiting, Uganda’s national anthem played at the biggest football show piece in the continent. The fervor, the ecstasy can only be explained by a Leicester City fan.
Off went the referee’s first whistle, and for the first 10 minutes, the Cranes looked intrepid. Although with no clear cut chances, Uganda had a strong start.
Midfielders Tony Mawejje and Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito in particular had splendid start with the former’s effort inside 10 minutes the highlight in those minutes.
Although a pass to Geoffrey Massa could have created something fecund, it was a decent shot from the midfielder.
With the West African giants struggling to find their rhythm, Uganda enjoyed the opening minutes. That however, changed when Ghana’s wide men particularly Newcastle’s winger (on loan from Chelsea) Christian Atsu took matters to his hands.
The Cranes left back Joseph Ochaya had contained the tricky winger, but it all changed.
Ghana now fully in control, the Cranes’ last 30 minutes in the first half seemed like inferno. But while that was the case, Isaac Isinde’s ruinous boo-boo was uncalled for. That error turned out to be a defining moment for the Black Stars as Ayew tucked in the solitary goal from penalty spot.
A regretful moment for the defender, the Cranes went for recess trailing.
On to the second half and the Cranes turned out with a completely different layout. With an immediate introduction of Moses Oloya and later on youngster Shaban Mohammed and veteran striker Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Uganda went for ‘an all-out attack’ (to borrow the commentator’s word) approach.
Going all guns blazing upfront and withdrawing Isinde 20 minutes to the final whistle was a brave statement from the tactician Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic. That approach almost did wonders.
Ghana, blessed with talented forwards were reduced to defending and continuous fouling as the Cranes showed a feisty display.
The Ayew brothers and Ochaya’s first half tormentor Atsu were hardly seen in the second half.
A very unfair result to the East Africans, Uganda will feel unlucky not to have gotten at least a point from last edition’s runners-up.
Although the result didn’t come their way, Ugandans will feel proud of their team. Even in defeat, they triumphed.
Seeing how Egypt struggled against Mali in the other Group D match, Ugandans will go into Saturday’s game against the Pharaohs with high spirits ready to upset the tournament’s record champions.