By Tom Niblett.
Ex-England boss Sven Goran Eriksson is facing up to his worst possible nightmare. The Ivory Coast head coach watched in horror, as star striker Didier Drogba left a warm up match with Japan with a suspected broken arm.
The Chelsea front man was forced out of the game after just 16 minutes, following a robust challenge from Marcus Tulio Tanaka. Ivory Coast team spokesman Eric Kacou later confirmed that Drogba had fractured his right elbow.
A statement read: “He was taken urgently to a medical centre in Sion, where x-rays revealed a fracture in the player’s right forearm area.
“Didier Drogba’s state of health is the object of all the attention of the Elephants’ medical staff and of distinguished specialists.
“The Ivory Coast Football Federation stress that the striker Didier Drogba has not, for the moment, been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup.”
Whether Drogba will miss the World Cup finals has not yet been established, boss Eriksson will no doubt give the thirty-two year old as much time as possible to recover. Ivory Coast begin their World Cup campaign against Portugal on 15th June before moving on to face Brazil and North Korea.
The news of Drogba’s injury will not only be a huge blow to the Ivorians but to the competition as a whole. Africa’s other superstar Micheal Essien has already been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
With Drogba’s likely absence has the group of death lost its sting? Have your say…
