The Indomitable Lions warm-up for the tournament has been peppered with drama but they made light work of their opponents to open their Group F account with a victory at the Ismailia Stadium. 

The Cameroon squad arrived 24 hours later than scheduled after delaying their departure over an alleged pay dispute.

The players had requested their appearance fee for the tournament be doubled but later agreed to travel without the promise of additional money.

Before the match it was confirmed that Joel Tagueu was ruled out of the tournament after tests revealed the 25-year-old striker was at risk of suffering a heart attack if he played.

Cameroon's off-field issues were put aside thanks to two goals in four minutes midway through the second-half.

Yaya Banana opened the scoring in the 66th minute when he headed home a cross from Karl Toko Ekambi.

Moments after coming onto the pitch, Stephane Bahoken doubled the lead with a side-footed effort after a defensive mix-up in the 69th minute. 

In the group's other clash, four-times Cup of Nations winners Ghana got off to the worst possible start when Poté gave Benin a shock lead after just two minutes.

Beating two defenders as he dribbled into the box he prodded the ball beyond Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Black Star brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew scored before the break to turn the game on its head but Ghana found themselves with 10 men with 35 minutes still to play.

John Boye had already seen a yellow card in the first half at the Ismailia Stadium and was given his marching orders for time wasting in the build up to a free kick, referee Youssef Essrayri of Tunisia harshly judging the Ghanaian defender.

The red card gave Benin the incentive they needed to get back into the game and they earned an unexpected point when Poté levelled from a corner after 63 minutes.

Both sides had chances to win the match but Benin will be the happier side with the 1-1 draw as it represents just a second-ever point in their Cup of Nations history.