DIDIER DROGBA’S hopes of becoming the president of the Ivory Coast FA took a major blow after he received ZERO votes from ex-players.
Out of the 14 members, 11 opted to go for his rival and league chief Sory Diabate and three abstained.
Drogba’s other opponent, Idriss Diallo – the current vice president – also got no backing during the vote, which was done through a video conference.
And the shock results are thought to have led to huge discussions in the West Africa nation.
The Chelsea legend, 42, was the heavy favourite ahead of the elections, helped by the fact that experienced administrator Eugene Diomande pulled out of the race and publicly supported the former national-team captain.
However, his dreams of leading his country’s FA are not completely shattered just yet.
The votes from the Active Footballers Association, coaches, referees and physios are yet to be cast.
Drogba spent nine years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 164 goals in 381 appearances across two spells.
He won four Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League in memorable fashion and also played 105 times for the Ivory Coast, with a record 65 goals.
After spells with Montreal Impact and Phoenix Rising, Drogba retired in 2018.
Since then, he has continued to do plenty more of the charity work he started during his playing days, including opening a hospital in his hometown of Abidjan in 2016.
Drogba offered the hospital as a coronavirus treatment centre amid the rise of the pandemic with 1,150 confirmed cases and 14 deaths.
Vincent Toh Bi Irie, the head of Abidjan’s regional council, thanked Drogba for the gesture.
He said: “We thank Drogba for this gift considered as an act of patriotism.” – The Sun
