Drogba makes Elephants squad
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been named in the Ivory Coast's 23-man squad for the African Nations Cup, taking place in Ghana later this month. The African footballer of the year underwent knee surgery in December but looks set to lead his country's charge when the tournament gets underway.
Coach Uli Stielike looks set to gamble on the fitness of his star-striker, who has endured a frustrating spell on the sidelines as Avram Grant continues Chelsea's post-Mourinho revivial.
Drogba has missed the Ivory Coast's training camp in Kuwait, which will include a friendly against the national side on January 12th.
The Elephants will be hoping to go one step better than the last tournament, where the finished runners-up in the tournament in Egypt. Their campaign starts on January 21st with a difficult tie against Nigeria, who will also boast a number of Premiership stars in their squad.
Reserve-goalkeeper Tiasse Kone is the only uncapped player in Stielike's squad.
Benfica's Marc Zoro has surprisingly been included at the expense of Hamburg's Guy Demel, despite not having featured for the Portuguese side all season.
Drogba will be joined by Arsenal defenders Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure, while North London rival Didier Zokora will hope for a midfield berth.
Chelsea strike-partner Soloman Kalou also features in the squad, along with Bolton Wanderer's Abdoulaye Meite.
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