Ivory Coast World Cup 2010 Qualifying News

May 30, 2008

New Ivory Coast coach Vahid Halilhodzic has been forced to make a number of changes to his squad ahead of Sundays opening FIFA 2010 South Africa World cup qualifier against Mozambique. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will miss the match against Mozambique because of injury. The severity of the injury is not yet know, with the Elephants inspirational captain possibly out for the entire month of qualifiers.

He joins a growing list of injuries with Aruna Dindane and Yaya Toure already sidelined for the match in Abidjan. Racing Lens striker Aruna Dindane was recently ruled out for six months after rupturing knee ligaments earlier in May whilst Barcelona midfielder Toure recently underwent surgery for a back injury.
Halilhodzic has included in his revised squad Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, who missed two Kirin Cup friendlies in Japan.

There is also a suprise call-up for the Dunfermline Athletic defender Souleymane Bamba, as a result of all of the injuries.

Ivory Coast will be clear favourites ahead of the match on Sunday, giving the interationial pedigree and the 49 places between them in the world cup, Ivory Coast being 22nd, Mozambique being 71st. Therefore it will not be a suprise if Halildodzic decides to try out some of his fringe players, with a probable first cap for Bamba

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