Krong Angkor

Drogba´s worst World Cup nightmare comes true

CAPE TOWN (AFP) - Didier Drogba had a wish not to face England in the first round of the 2010 World Cup granted here on Friday, but that is where his happiness ended.

Ivory Coast, considered the African nation capable of going furthest, drew Brazil, North Korea and Portugal in Group G, and the Chelsea striker must be wondering what his country have done to offend the football gods.

When the west African 'Elephants' qualified for their first World Cup in Germany three years ago, they got Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia and a raw team at the highest level made an inevitable first-round departure.

Now a similar fate awaits the Ivorians with Brazil and Portugal favoured to advance and the Africans possibly left with a third-place finish ahead of the mysterious men from the East, North Korea.

Drogba talked pre-draw of Ivory Coast reaching the semi-finals, but as he watched the draw in England, a last-four place must have been the last thing on his mind.

It is not that the 'Elephants' are lacking in stars with Drogba, fellow Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure and his older brother and Manchester City defender Kolo on their roster.

But Brazil have won the World Cup a record six times and are already being branded favourites for the title alongside in-form European countries England and Spain.

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, full-back Maicon, playmaker Kaka and striker Luis Fabiano are just some of the gems in a crown nurtured by coach Dunga, a former World Cup winner himself.

And years of heavy investment in youth is paying dividends for Portugal, who were runners-up in Euro 2004 and fourth behind Italy, France and Germany at the last World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo will drive a Portuguese armada determined to prove they are much better than a European campaign that needed home and away play-off victories over Bosnia-Herzegovina to secure qualification.

A South African journalist dismissed North Korea as a "students team" after a recent loss to local league leaders SuperSport United during a tour of the region that also featured a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Zambia.

But dare anyone dismiss the 'Red Mosquitos' given a World Cup record that includes a stunning 1966 victory over Italy and a gallant 5-3 quarter-final loss to Portugal after leading by three goals?