Last-minute hitches have disrupted preparations for both Cameroon and Gabon, who meet each other in Group D’s opening fixture next Wednesday.   Teenage midfielder Joel Matip has not travelled with the Cameroon squad to Nairobi for the Indomitable Lions’ final warm-up fixture against Kenya on Saturday.   The 18-year-old is coveted by the German national set-up – he was born in Bochum in Germany to a Cameroonian father and plays in the Bundesliga for Schalke 04.

Delays over obtaining a Cameroon passport are being blamed for his omission from the travelling party, after he had initially been given permission to join up late to allow him to complete school exams. Cameroon are expected to call-up a replacement.

Gabon midfielder Stephane Achy reportedly suffered a heart murmur during a squad training session on Monday and has been replaced by Arsene Copa, who plays for Hungarian top-flight outfit Gyori ETO.

The training session had replaced Gabon’s cancelled friendly against Zimbabwe. However, they beat Mozambique 2-0 in Libreville last night, with goals from Mucana Martinho and Hull City striker Daniel Cousen.

Ghana’s injury worries were eased with news that striker Asamoah Gyan and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will be available for their first Group B fixture, against Togo on Monday.

Essien will join the African Nations Cup party on Saturday after completing his recuperation from a hamstring injury in England.

Gyan was withdrawn from Ghana’s 0-0 draw with Malawi during the pre-match warm-up but coach Milovan Rajevac said it was “only a precaution.”