International Didier Drogba has stepped forward and publicly spoken about the Stampede Tragedy that happened 40 minutes before kickoff of the Sunday World Cup Qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

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From Yahoo News:

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast – A stampede at a World Cup qualifying soccer match in the Ivory Coast killed at least 22 people and wounded 132 Sunday, authorities said.

Fans at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny arena pushed against each other shortly before the game between Ivory Coast and Malawi, setting off a panic that led to the stampede, Interior Minister Desire Tagro said on state television.

Ivory Coast’s head coach, Bosnian Vahid Halihodzic has labeled his team as average following his first 6 matches in charge in which the Elephants won 3 and tied 3.

While speaking to reporters in Abidjan, the 56 year old who represented Yugoslavia 15 times at the International Level said, “Since I took up this job as manager and trainer, everywhere I go, I hear the same analysis, the same words: ‘Ah, Vahid, you’ve got a super team’.

“And each time I say the same thing: ‘I don’t have a super team - perhaps there are some special players, but the team itself is still rather average.’

“You in the media, and above all the supporters, need to know that there are better teams than us - even in Africa.”

image via Teledviaspora

Via USSoccer

Lineups:
USA: 18-Brad Guzan; 2-Marvell Wynne, 15-Michael Parkhurst, 6-Maurice Edu, 3-Michael Orozco; 16-Sacha Kljestan (10-Benny Feilhaber, 46), 4-Michael Bradley (13-Patrick Ianni, 89), 11-Freddy Adu (5-Dax McCarty, 46), 7-Stuart Holden (8-Danny Szetela, 46); 17-Brian McBride (capt.) (14-Robbie Rogers, 46), 12-Jozy Altidore (9-Charlie Davies, 46)
Subs Not Used: 1-Chris Seitz
Head Coach: Peter Nowak

CIV: 1-Vincent de Paul Angban, 2-Serge Pascal Wawa, 3-Ousamane Viera Diarrassouba, 5-Brou Benjamin Angoua, 7-Kafoumba Coulibaly (6-Herve Kambou, 67), 8-Salomon Kalou, 9-Franck Dja-Djedje (17-Antoine N’Gossan, 46), 10-Koumatien Kone, 12-Mamadou Bagayoko, 14-Kouassi Gervai Yao (capt.), 18-Sekou Cisse (13-Abraham Guie Guie, 81)
Subs Not Used: 16-Fabrice Okous, 4-Nassa Guy Roland Niangbo, 11-Moura Komenan Anthony, 15-Tamla Ladij
Head Coach: Gerard Gili

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Don’t get the wrong idea with the title of this post… Having the opposing goalie drop one in over your head from outside his own penalty box has got to be embarrasing. This is not a good look for the Ivory Coast keeper heading in to the Olympics.

Chelsea’s (for now) Didier Drogba has officially made himself available for the Ivory Coast Olympic Team.

Salomon Kalou, both Toure brothers (Kolo and Yaya) and Didier Zokora have all made themselves available as well.

Throw in Constance Djakpa and Sekou Cisse from their 2008 Toulon Tournament team and you’ve got yourself a nice little starting 11 for your Group A match ups against Argentina, Australia and Serbia.

How could you not love this face?  The one, the only Maximus Bretos.

The surprise team of the 2008 Toulon Tournament did it again as Marcelo Bielsa’s Chile squad pushed past the Ivory Coast 2-1 to head into the Finals on Thursday against the winner of Italy v Japan.

While it felt like the Ivory Coast was just about to score, Chilean #10 Pedro Morales toe the ball away from Ivory Coast defensive midfielder #7 Coulibaly, snuck a peek and chipped the keeper #1 Okoua from 40 yards out in only the 5th minute.

My favorite player in the tournament, Ivory Coast left back #15 Constant Djakpa whipped a free kick across the 6 yard box, and with all the confusion in front of the net, Chile keeper #1 Toselli could do nothing to stop the ball from going in untouched to level 1-1.

The only mistake the Ivorian back four would make would cost them dearly as Chilean #11 Lorca found space down the left side, got his head up and found #14 Fabian Orellana wide open, completely unmarked at the top of the 6 yard box for an easy tap in for the final 2-1 result.

Unlucky for highly athletic Ivory Coast squad, but full credit to Chile and their ability to deal with the pressure and ultimately finish the few chances they had for a tournament leading 11 goals scored with only 4 conceded.