A steely determined Ugandan side picked a vital point against the  Black Stars of Ghana in a Nations Cup qualifier played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The Stars needed a controversial penalty in the second half to pull even after the Cranes had taken a lead on the stroke of half time.

For a Stars team that has come under fire from their own fans, following an embarrassing outing in the World Cup it was more a point lost than one gained and heat will be on them as they head to Togo for the second header of the Nations Cup qualifier.

It was the Stars who showed promise in the opening embers with a Waris header from close range which was cleared off the line by the Ugandan goal keeper Onyango who had a stupendous game on the day.

Christian Atsu teasingly outwitted his marker before whipping in the cross but the header was well defended.

In the 19th minute, the Stars turned defence into attack with Atsu and Waris again in the tick of affairs but the pair failed to communicate well in the final third.

Two minutes later, Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan nearly opened the Ghana account but a great piece of instinctive save by Onyango denied the Stars skipper a vital goal to ease the pressure on a side desperate for point and redeem an image.

Gyan superbly controlled an immaculate inswinger   from Kwadwo Asamoah before placing the ball but Onyango was spot on with his save.

The Stars skipper again had his goal bound free parried to safety by Onyango.

On two occasions Rabiu Mohammed easily lost possession in his own half but the Cranes failed to capitalise on that.

On the stroke of half time though it was the visitors who would cause the biggest upset with Tony M. scoring with a shot at the edge of the box which took a slight deflection on John Boye before beating Fatau Dauda in post.

The Stars had little time to respond before the whistle went for the end of the first half but had 45 minutes more to do so when they returned.

Five minutes into the second half Abdul Majeed Waris who had been anonymous in the first was tripped slightly in the penalty box with the referee pointing to the spot for a controversial penalty.

Dede Ayew pulled level for the Black Stars with a sublime kick.

That should have spurred the Black Stars on but it was the Cranes who looked more determined for the win. And they nearly got that when a shot from close range took an awkward bounce in front of Dauda before hitting the far post.

It was a close shave. The Cranes looked more elegant upfront and threatened Ghana's goal with ease but failed to get the most famous victory they wanted.

1-1 it ended and the Cranes would be delighted for a point even if they chastise the referee for awarding a controversial penalty.

The Stars badly need a victory against Togo on Wednesday to stand a realistic chance of proceeding from the group.