Essien doubtful for Ghana

Accra - Michael Essien is doubtful for Ghana's opening match at the African Nations Cup finals in Angola on Monday despite making a return to training this week, the Ghana Football Association said.

Essien had been allowed to remain in London and trained with his club Chelsea on Wednesday before preparing to depart for Angola, where Ghana play their opening Group B match against Togo in Cabinda.

The midfielder has been recuperating after suffering a hamstring injury in the European Champions League last month.

"Coach Milovan Rajevac will be assessing the midfielder because he has yet to regain full match fitness before taking a decision on when to start his captain for the competition," the association said on its website (www.ghanafa.org).