Advertisement
Drogba Fit After Surgery, Kolo Toure Has Malaria
Didier Drogba (11) calls for the ball against Bosnia and Herzegovina during a soccer friendly at the Edward Jones Dome. Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Ivory Coast 2-1, St. Louis, MO, May 30, 2014. PHOTO BY USA TODAY Sports/Scott Rovak
31/05/2014
(Reuters) - Didier Drogba is fit to play for the Ivory Coast after recovering from a recent groin operation, the striker said on Friday.
Drogba's international team mate and veteran defender Kolo Toure is struggling, however, having been felled by a bout of malaria, the Ivorian Football Federation said.
Drogba underwent surgery in Qatar last month, but told a news conference in St Louis that he was feeling fine and was ready for the World Cup.
The 36-year-old striker is expected to win his 100th cap on Friday against fellow finalists Bosnia in a friendly in the American city.
"I’ve worked hard to regain my form and get to a good level for the training camp," said Drogba of his work over the last week in Dallas where the Elephants have been preparing for the tournament in Brazil.
Ivorian team doctor Cyrille Dah said Liverpool defender Toure had contracted malaria on a trip home to Abidjan at the end of the English Premier League season and was undergoing treatment.
"He just needs rest and so he won’t play against Bosnia but he will be OK to return to training next week," Dah told the Ivorian Football Federation website www.fif-ci.com.
Toure’s younger brother Yaya is due to join the Ivorian squad on Saturday after surgery on an unspecified muscle injury in Qatar.
"We expect him back on the pitch," the doctor added.
The Ivorians play a second warm-up friendly in the U.S. against El Salvador in Dallas on Wednesday. They will arrive in Brazil next Friday.
At the World Cup, the Ivorians will play in Group C with Colombia, Greece and Japan.
Add new comment