Bongo also went to the media tent outside the main stadium during his visit, catching reporters and photographers working there unaware.

Surrounded by security officials and local organizers, Bongo appeared through a side entrance at the media centre and spent about five minutes inside the tent before continuing his tour of the 40,000-seat stadium and its facilities.

Gabon and West African neighbour Equatorial Guinea are co-hosting the 16-team African Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on Saturday.

The first matches at the Libreville stadium are Monday, when host Gabon plays Niger and Morocco faces Tunisia in back-to-back games.

Bongo’s unannounced visit came as workers scrambled to ready Stade de l’Amitie for matches at the 28th version of Africa’s football championship.

It’s the biggest sporting event Gabon has held and facilities around the stadium were still being completed Thursday, four days before it kicks off in Libreville.

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