Ghana's camp welcome Michael Essien ahead of Friday's opening game against Ivory Coast in Cabinda.

The midfielder arrived in Angola on Wednesday and flew to the Northern town of Cabinda where the Ghana team is based.

Essien had seen his arrival delayed by the wintry weather conditions in London.

Ghana opens its campaign against Ivory Coast in Group B on Friday.

The Black Stars have had to wait until Friday to play in the competition after the their scheduled Group B opener against Togo on Monday was called-off after the Hawks flew home on Sunday following the deadly gun attack on their bus in Cabinda two days earlier.

The group has now been left with three teams with the Black Star set to play their first game at the competition against Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast drew goalless with Burkina Faso in the first game at the new Chazi Stadium in Cabinda and will round up their group campaign against Ghana.