Drogba Not Sure for Opening Game

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba remains in doubt for the team's opening World Cup match against Portugal because of his broken arm.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said Friday that Drogba will work on his ball skills at practice later, but that physical contact with other players was not a risk worth taking at the moment.

Drogba was hurt in a friendly against Japan last Friday and had surgery a day later.
"He feels better and better," Eriksson said.
Eriksson conceded that Drogba's absence in Tuesday's opening Group G encounter in Port Elizabeth would be a big loss to the team but that he was working on "a B plan and a C plan as well."
"He's going to practice today but of course we have to be prepared for the worst," Eriksson said.

Ivory Coast is widely considered to be Africa's best hope of lifting the World Cup in a month's time. It is blessed with a wide array of talent, including Drogba's Chelsea teammate, Salomon Kalou, and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure.

However, it has been dealt an extremely tough-looking group - again.