Drogba training ahead of Ivory Coast’s opener vs. Portugal but coach still unsure of fitness

Drogba training ahead of Ivory Coast’s opener

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Didier Drogba is training with his teammates ahead of Ivory Coast’s World Cup opener against Portugal and a decision will be made on whether the striker can play two hours before Tuesday’s match.

Drogba broke his right arm in a June 4 warmup match but has now trained with his teammates two days straight.

Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he is hopeful FIFA will approve the protective cast Drogba would wear but that “we don’t know the outcome” of the decision.

FIFA must be satisfied that the cast does not present a danger to other players.

Eriksson added that “I hope he will be there, but I actually don’t know.”

Even if Drogba does not make Tuesday’s match, Eriksson said there is a good chance he can play in next week’s Group G match against Brazil and then against North Korea on June 25.