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5 years agoon
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FrimpongLess than two weeks ago, on 14 November, Didier Drogba made it clear that he wants to become the next president of the Ivory Coast Football Federation. The former Elephants captain would succeed Augustin Sidy Diallo for the top job.
He will battle it out against Séwé Sport de San Pedro President Eugène Diomandé. He is the first to officially announce his candidacy for the position.
Drogba, 41, is the former captain of Chelsea Football Club, capped 106 times for the club and scored 65 goals between 2002 and 2014.
He is a man on a mission heading back to his country of birth to make Ivorian football a powerhouse on the continent once again. This time round with his rich experience gained whiles playing for club and country.
“I’m here to make a change, not to get rich at the FA, because I’ve decided to get involved in local football in a country I love,” he said.
“I had an offer to stay at Chelsea where everything would be perfect and conditions are met but I want to help Ivorian football.
“I want us to re-think football, with a nationwide vision, so we can develop the game here. The Ivory Coast has a glorious footballing past.” He added.
On Developing Ivorian football, Didier Drogba met representatives of Division 3 clubs, which are part of the Electoral College, in Abidjan.
At Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Cocody, the former Marseille and Chelsea striker organised a meeting with the League 1 and League 2 clubs.
“If he’s here, it’s not for nothing. He is already campaigning and it would probably be a good thing if he were elected,” says an anonymous League 1 club leader. “Drogba is a name, but [he] also has the advantage of not needing the federation to make money. He has enough. We need someone who can develop Ivorian football because it’s been far too long since almost nothing has been done,” he says.
Salif Bictogo, President of the Stella Club of Adjamé (League 2), believes that “Drogba can bring something innovative. He just needs to be well surrounded, because the real leaders are those who know how to delegate”.
Augustin Sidy Diallo, the current president of Ivory Coast football who is completing his second term, has not yet announced whether he will run for a third term.
But he is the target of much criticism from a majority of Ivorian football players. They accuse him of inaction, poor financial management, but also for having made a personal profit.
The vote is scheduled for the first half of 2020.
By David Kofi Tei