Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba and the Cote d’Ivoire team believe that Africa is on the verge of hosting an iconic World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
The Chelsea hitman rose from the bench and took just two minutes to score the equalizer in Malawi that has booked Côte d’Ivoire’s place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
Jacob Ngwira gave the Flames a 64th-minute lead in their African Zone, Group E qualifier, prompting visiting coach Vahid Halilhodžić to throw on the Chelsea striker.
Drogba Scored a Goal on 67 Minutes
Drogba’s vindicated that substitution almost immediately and his 67th-minute goal earned the Ivorians the point they needed to seal qualification. The result took Côte d’Ivoire on to 13 points, an unassailable seven points clear of second-placed Burkina Faso.
“It is going to be a challenge. To make it to the final will not be easy because there are great teams like Brazil and Germany who have won the World Cup for many years,” he said after the Elephants qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup following a 1-1 draw with Malawi.” He said on football 365.com
SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani Encouraged Ivory Coast
Meanwhile, SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani encouraged Ivory Coast to excel at the World Cup next year.
“Today is a good day to be an African. This World Cup has been dubbed an African one. What that means is that this World Cup (trophy) has to remain in Africa and that cannot happen without your commitment. We want you to commit to working very hard. You have already qualified and all that remains now is the final touches,” said Nematandani.
Côte d’Ivoire is Positioned First in Africa
Côte d’Ivoire, who is positioned first in Africa and 20th overall on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, finished third in a very tough Group C at Germany 2006.
Illustration: Didier Drogba of Cote de Ivoire by Charis Tsevis
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