This World Cup has seen the penultimate importance of a strong attack combined with a strong defence. Midfielders have been forced to the extremes in most matches, acting as a supporting cast either to the forwards and wingers or as reinforcement to the defence.
The Ivory Coast team is no different. Having sailed through the World Cup undefeated in both the qualifiers as well as their first match against Greece, the team is looking at a possible victory against South American team Columbia. It will greatly profit the team to have seasoned player Drogba opening for them instead of being benched. At the ripe old age of 36, the Ivory Coast player is far from being exhausted and is able to manoeuvre his way through the field and around the opposing defence.
The big player has a big impact on the field as he’s a wall that is hard to break down. If there is one major contribution he provides to Ivory Coast despite the age, it is the way his presence is able to boost the morale of the team and the talent he brings to the field. Perhaps the fact that his football career kickstarted pretty late in life, around the age of 22, has allowed him to stay in it for so long. Most players begin playing in youth teams from the tender age of 8-10 years.
It is the hope of a lot of fans that Drogba becomes a part of the starting eleven in tonight’s match instead of beginning his world cup appearance late, even if it means that he has to be substituted. If he is able to secure the Ivory Coast’s position with one or two goals/assists, he would have played his part tonight.
Player Stats:
Club: Galatasaray since 2013
Goals Scored Club: 256 Country: 65
Honours:
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match,
2012 Turkish Footballer of the Year,
2013 Golden Foot,
2013 All Time Top-Scorer for Ivory Coast
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