Essien has recovered from a hamstring injury to compete

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has joined his team-mates in Cabinda for the Africa Cup of Nations after being delayed by bad weather in Britain.

Essien was unable to travel on Sunday because of freezing conditions.

The 27-year-old Chelsea star is now expected to undergo a fitness test before the Black Stars' opening game against Ivory Coast on Friday.

He has not played since suffering a hamstring injury during a Champions League match on 8 December.

Ghana's first group game against Togo was cancelled in the wake of the attacks on the Togolese team bus.

The change means they open their Africa Cup of Nations account against an Ivory Coast side desperate for a win after an unconvincing 0-0 draw against Burkina Faso on Monday.

Essien returned to training with Chelsea last week, and has made himself available for selection.

"He arrived this morning (Wednesday) in Angola," Ghana Football Association spokesman Randy Abbey said.

"He has been training with his club recently and should be physically fit."

Ghana, who recently won the under-20 World Cup, will draw from emerging young talent as they push for a fifth Nations Cup title.

"We want to win this competition," said coach Milovan Rajevac.

"But this first game is going to be interesting pitting our very young team against one of the best and most experienced sides in Africa."

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