Antoine-Bell Backs Drogba For Ivorian FA Presidency

Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba has what it takes to be the next president of the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF), Cameroon legend Joseph-Antoine Bell has said.

Speaking to the press on Friday, the former goalkeeper of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon said Drogba stands a chance of being voted to head the federation.

“Drogba’s candidacy is legitimate. He is someone who has done football for his country. He has travelled and seen what is going on elsewhere. He loves his country and logic dictates that he wants to serve it, “he said as quoted by Ivorian portal, Pressecotedivoire.

Drogba will battle it out with Sory Diabate, the current vice president of FIF after the withdrawal of rival Eugene Diomande, who threw his weight behind his candidature.

The General Assembly is scheduled to announce the FIF election dates but with the current coronavirus pandemic, the exercise is likely to be pushed back until normalcy returns to Ivory Coast.

Drogba’s candidacy has been garnering support as club bosses have indicated they were satisfied after listening to a man with a clear vision for Ivorian football.

Ivorian football has been struggling since winning the 2015 African Nations Cup.

As defending champions, the Elephants suffered a humiliating group-stage exit from the 2017 tournament and reached the quarter-finals in Egypt this year.

Drogba retired from football in December 2018, as the country’s top scorer with 65 goals in 105 games for Côte d’Ivoire.