Group G: Drogba's nightmare comes true

CAPE TOWN: 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.

Cote d'Ivoire, considered the African nation capable of going furthest, drew Brazil, DPR Korea and Portugal in Group G and the Chelsea striker must be wondering what his country has done to offend the soccer gods.

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