2010 World Cup: Drogba Comeback Setup after Successful Surgery
There is good news for the Ivoirians; Didier Drogba is on the fast track to make his comeback in the 2010 FIFA World Cup this summer in South Africa. Moments ago fans were worried if the head bull of the Les Éléphants will be able to lead their team in the tournament but the resilient forward it seems has no plans of giving up.
The Ivorian Football Federation has confirmed that Drogba hasn’t been ruled out of the World Cup and will join the training programme after tests. A team spokesman has also stated that the Star had a good surgery and is ready to make a remarkable comeback.
What remains unclear is if Drogba will be ready in time to participate in the Group G match against Portugal. The opening match will start a week from now in Port Elizabeth and no team official has yet been able to comment on his status.
Last Friday while playing against the Japan the Ivorian team lost its forward in the first 15-minutes of the game when he took on Japanese Centre back Tulio, resulting in http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/ivory-coast/7803087/World-Cup-2010-Ivory-Coast-striker-Didier-Drogba-suffers-suspected-fractured-elbow.html (inner bone) of his right forearm. After the friendly that took place in Switzerland the team officials failed to comment on his status only stating that he needed immediate medical attention and had departed.
The ace striker was scheduled for surgery in Berne on the weekend. Later the doctors described it as a successful operation and it’s hoped that Drogba will have a speedy recovery. After the operation Ivorian Federation officials took Drogba to his teammates at a Swiss Hotel. It was made clear on that occasion that Drogba has not been left out of the team and will participate upon medical clearance.
While talking to the media a spokesman from the Ivorian Football Federation, Roger Kouassi stated, “His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope that the Captain of the Elephants will be in action with his teammates as soon as possible.”
The Ivorian squad is set to fly South Africa this Wednesday after they finish their http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/ preparations in Switzerland with a final friendly against Lausanne Sports in Nyon on Tuesday.
The initial rumours were spreading like a wildfire in the Outbacks; concluding that one of the best players in the African continent will be unable to play in this World Cup. Then Drogba would have been counted in the three prolific injuries in Chelsea. Michael Essien Captain of the Ghanaian team and Michael Ballack Captain from both the Blues and the German team had to withdraw due to injuries conceded earlier in the season.
Drogba is in spectacular form already having had outstanding season with the Blues and being the top goal scorer in the English Premier League. He has a saviour role in Ivory Coast. He has a more than a one goal average representing his home team. Their group also includes Brazil and North Korea; making it one of the toughest groups and likely to have the most upsets.
Despite the setback the team is in high spirits, Kolo Toure talking to the media wanted to make this clear, “We haven’t won anything yet as a team," but later confided that they were ready to pounce as a team. The Ivory Coast team may have a handful of stars that play in European Clubs but have won just one game and that was in the World Cup of 2006 against Serbia & Montenegro. Much rests on shoulders of the new coach Sven-Göran Eriksson.
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