Chelsea legend Drogba cleared to stand in Ivory Coast elections

Didier Drogba has been cleared to stand in the elections to be the next president of Ivory Coast’s football federation (FIF).

The former Chelsea striker is one of six candidates who will contest the election on April 23.

The voting process was originally scheduled to be carried out in September 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed because of ongoing issues over the eligibility of certain candidates, including Drogba.

“The candidacy for the presidency of the Ivorian football federation is closed,” Mariam Dao Gabala, president of the FIF normalisation committee, announced at a news conference.

“Six candidates have been registered. They are Yatte Ellele Jean-Baptiste, Arnaud Aka, Laurent Kouakou, Idriss Diallo, Sory Diabate and Didier Drogba,”

Drogba played over 100 times for the Elephants and represented them at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

“Finally here we are,” Drogba said.

“I can’t wait for the campaign to start. Have strong faith in me to bring Ivorian football to life if elected.”