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" If all the conditions are met, why not, " said Didier Drogba in an interview on Radio Foot Internationale this Friday, August 9. The former Chelsea player structures a project before embarking on the race. The election of the next president of the Ivorian Football Federation will take place at the end of the year.
Didier Drogba, retired from the field since last year, could he be a candidate for the next election of the president of the Ivorian Football Federation (IFF)? Asked by RFI, the former Chelsea player knows his name is quoted in the media. The election should take place at the end of the year.
" I know Ivorian football well"
" It's something that can interest me, because I know Ivorian football ," says the former international for the moment. " I have been in the national team for a number of years and have worked with many leaders, " he adds. If he still admits to hesitate, Didier Drogba, 41, thinks about it seriously. " If all conditions are met, why not, " he says. The IFF is currently headed by Augustin Sidy Diallo, challenged by a majority of club leaders in the country.
The European champion is " eager " to bring his experience to Ivorian and African football. He puts a keen eye on the situation of the round-robin in Côte d'Ivoire. " We had good years with the previous generation (title of African champion in 2015 in Equatorial Guinea, ed). Now, even if we have good players, we will have to cross a course, "says Didier Drogba.
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Côte d'Ivoire was eliminated in the first round at the CAN 2017 in Gabon (two draws and one defeat), and in the quarter-finals at CAN 2019 in Egypt against Algeria on penalties. In addition, the Elephants did not participate in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. " We allowed Ivory Coast to compete in three World Cups in a row, and we were disappointed not to see the team at the last one, " he said.
" We need to help clubs and training centers "
Beyond the work to be done for team A, Drogba says: " We must focus on a renaissance project in all sectors and have a vision for the training of young people . There are currently no Youth and Women's Championships in Ivory Coast. Didier Drogba insists especially on the infrastructures to make emerge the new generations. Côte d'Ivoire is to host the CAN in 2023.
" We need to help clubs and training centers to develop and organize themselves as in Europe or South America, " said the one that has evolved in Europe, Asia and the United States. " I could see what was positive and what was less positive. It is an experience that I can bring by bringing together several people around the Ivorian football ", argues Didier Drogba who could initially organize States General of Ivorian football. " There could be a lot of ideas out there, " he says.
The current situation at IFF is complex. A GX (regrouping clubs and interest groups active members of the Ivorian Football Federation) is currently fighting the current president. " If I ever decide to go ahead and run for office, I will not come to take sides for one or the other, but to come together ," says Drogba. We must forget the personal quarrels, think of the country and move Ivorian football forward. We have to talk about development first and foremost. "
Didier Drogba would be happy to work with other former players of Team A who have also made Ivory Coast shine on the continent and beyond.
Interviewed by Annie Gasnier