Uganda head coach Mulitin Micho says his side were unlucky to have committed the penalty that gave Ghana the only goal of their Group D opener in Port Gentil on Tuesday.
Uganda came into the game with lots of confidence and high expectations having secured favourable results against Ghana in their last four encounters.
"In 39 years we have not been there and in the first half we had an element of stage fright," admitted Serbian coach Sredojevic after defender Isaac Isinde's foul on Asamoah Gyan for the penalty proved decisive.
"We paid dearly for the mistake that is hard to explain. The experience of a great player allowed him to intercept and win the penalty that Ayew converted.
"At half-time we were fully aware that we are on the big stage. It needed man management and awakening of every player, injecting belief that we can play.
"We risked everything at the end but unfortunately it didn't come our way."
He added: "I believe our team has seen that our level of fitness acquired in preparation is enough for this competition but there are other aspects we need to correct."