Ivory Coast's solid performance in their Group G opener against Portugal has increased the number of Didier Drogba dissidents among the Elephants' supporters. The Wigan midfielder, Olivier Kapo, who was born in Abidjan, spoke for them this week when he suggested that not feeling obliged to cater to the team's star striker "liberated" the other Ivorian players and lead to a more fluent display.
However, although that opinion is spreading, it is still not the dominant view and, most importantly, the team's manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, has declared that he is a Drogba believer and confirmed that the Chelsea striker will return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s momentous clash with Brazil.
Gervinho will drop to the bench to accommodate Drogba in the only change to the team that drew with Portugal. Aruna Dindane, who will be one of the players charged with supplying Drogba from his position on the right wing, welcomes the return of the country's talisman.
"Didier remains very important to us," he said. "We have some fine young forwards who are pushing for a place in the team but we certainly can't afford the luxury of leaving out Didier. In fact, no team in the world would willingly do that."
Player in-fighting has undermined Ivorian hopes in recent years but Dindane says that Eriksson's "calming" influence has eradicated that problem and that "morale is very high".
Dindane, indeed, says it is a relief to be in such an environment following the chaotic season he endured at Portsmouth. "I don't regret my time at Portsmouth, it was great and I am very grateful for having had the opportunity but it's true that circumstances were difficult."
He said that reports he will be playing his club football in Qatar next season are false but confirmed that he has had several offers from clubs around the world. "I know which one I'm going to join but I won't reveal who until after the World Cup," he said. Asked whether it is a Premier League club, he replied: "Possibly".
However, although that opinion is spreading, it is still not the dominant view and, most importantly, the team's manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, has declared that he is a Drogba believer and confirmed that the Chelsea striker will return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s momentous clash with Brazil.
Gervinho will drop to the bench to accommodate Drogba in the only change to the team that drew with Portugal. Aruna Dindane, who will be one of the players charged with supplying Drogba from his position on the right wing, welcomes the return of the country's talisman.
"Didier remains very important to us," he said. "We have some fine young forwards who are pushing for a place in the team but we certainly can't afford the luxury of leaving out Didier. In fact, no team in the world would willingly do that."
Player in-fighting has undermined Ivorian hopes in recent years but Dindane says that Eriksson's "calming" influence has eradicated that problem and that "morale is very high".
Dindane, indeed, says it is a relief to be in such an environment following the chaotic season he endured at Portsmouth. "I don't regret my time at Portsmouth, it was great and I am very grateful for having had the opportunity but it's true that circumstances were difficult."
He said that reports he will be playing his club football in Qatar next season are false but confirmed that he has had several offers from clubs around the world. "I know which one I'm going to join but I won't reveal who until after the World Cup," he said. Asked whether it is a Premier League club, he replied: "Possibly".
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