Ghana now expect to have Michael Essien in camp on Wednesday as the big freeze across Europe delayed his departure from London on Sunday.

The midfielder was set to join his colleagues Sunday night in Cabinda but had to stay back in London as flights suffered further disruption due to wintry weather conditions.

The poor conditions prevented him from taking a flight to Portugal before en-routing to Angola on Monday. He is now expected in Angola on Wednesday.

"Essien was unable to make it out of London on Sunday. The bad weather [snow] prevented him from doing so as some flights were canceled.

"We are still in touch and is now booked to arrive on Wednesday and in time for our opening group game on Friday against Ivory Coast," the FA spokesperson said.

Ghana's 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.

Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast drew goalless in the first game at the new Chazi Stadium in Cabinda with Ghana taking their turn on Friday against the Ivorians.