|
|
Report: Chelsea and Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba 'not ready' to play in African Cup of Nations
11 Jan 2010 06:32:36
Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is believed to be in a fragile mental state following the attack on the Togo team bus ahead of the African Cup of Nations.
The Togolese players were subject to machine-gun fire from rebels in Cabinda, which left three people dead and eight others injured.
Following the incident, Togo skipper Emmanuel Adebayor is said to have spoken to Drogba, with the Chelsea hitman expressing concerns over continuing to play in the tournament.
Adebayor's Togo team-mate Alaixys Romao is quoted in The Independent as saying: "There was a long discussion between Drogba and Adebayor.
"Drogba said he was fully aware of the psychological state that the Togo squad was in, and he too was not ready to play in this African Nations Cup."
Romao maintained that the reaction would have been very different if a bigger footballing nation had been the subject of the attack.
He added: "If it had been Ivory Coast or Cameroon, or if [Samuel] Eto'o or Drogba had taken a bullet, the competition would have been stopped immediately."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The Togolese players were subject to machine-gun fire from rebels in Cabinda, which left three people dead and eight others injured.
Following the incident, Togo skipper Emmanuel Adebayor is said to have spoken to Drogba, with the Chelsea hitman expressing concerns over continuing to play in the tournament.
Adebayor's Togo team-mate Alaixys Romao is quoted in The Independent as saying: "There was a long discussion between Drogba and Adebayor.
"Drogba said he was fully aware of the psychological state that the Togo squad was in, and he too was not ready to play in this African Nations Cup."
Romao maintained that the reaction would have been very different if a bigger footballing nation had been the subject of the attack.
He added: "If it had been Ivory Coast or Cameroon, or if [Samuel] Eto'o or Drogba had taken a bullet, the competition would have been stopped immediately."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Make Your Prediction Choose match
Morocco - Ivory Coast
Morocco
Ivory Coast
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Morocco 2-1 Ivory Coast
- 19.64 %
-
Morocco 1-2 Ivory Coast
- 14.29 %
-
Morocco 2-0 Ivory Coast
- 7.14 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?
Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?
-
Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
