Drogba recovering well, will rejoin Ivory Coast team mates

Didier Drogba will rejoin the Ivory Coast squad later today after undergoing emergency elbow surgery in an attempt to save his chances of participating in the World Cup.

A wave of dismay swept across Ivorian football when the Chelsea striker fractured the ulna of his right forearm in a warm-up match against Japan in Switzerland on Friday. Drogba initially informed French journalists that the injury would prevent him from playing in the World Cup but later retracted that and said an operation could salvage his hopes.


The Ivorian federation have now confirmed Drogba will rejoin his team mates at their Swiss hotel in Sion today after spending the weekend in hospital, surrounded by his wife and three children.

“His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope the captain of the Elephants will be in action with his team mates as soon as possible,” Roger Kouassi, a spokesman said.

The Ivory Coast leave for South Africa on Wednesay and the squad will conclude their preparations with a friendly against Lausanne Sports in Nyon tomorrow. It remains to be seen when, or if, Drogba will recover in time to play a part in the tournament. Drogba has often spoken of his hope to lead his country to glory at the first World Cup to be staged in Africa.

The loss of a player who has scored 44 goals in 69 appearances for his country – and hit 37 in all competitions for Chelsea this season – would severely damage the Ivory Coast’s chances of making an impact in South Africa.