Ivory Coast had a poor 0-0 result today. It increases the chances of them getting knocked out early which would mean an earlier return for Drogba. Fingers crossed.

Heard about it. Kalou was a late sub. :D

And there's only three in their group now

are we going to read reports that kalou is considering his future in the Ivory coast team in light of him not starting enough games?!!!...did watch the match, didier was a bit quiet...kalou came on with 20 mins to go and did his normal magic trick of ballooning a good chance high and wide of the goal

WHen is the enquiry into betting scandals going to start? Angola 4-0 up with 11 minutes to play and they draw 4-4? I mean - come on..................................

the bbc.co.uk website had this gem to offer:

"The late introduction of Kalou, right, didn't reverse Ivorian fortunes"

oh really? cos you would have thought...

oh, hang on..

Edited January 11, 201016 yr by sleepy_gonzalez

WHen is the enquiry into betting scandals going to start? Angola 4-0 up with 11 minutes to play and they draw 4-4? I mean - come on..................................

thats what i thought, either a betting scam or the organisers wanted a memorable game after what happene to the Togo team.

Its Ivory Coast v Ghana today, or more to the point Drog v Essien.

Selfishly we need to go for a Ghana win, this would leave Ivory Coast in serious trouble and every possibilty Drogba could be back in time for next weeks FA Cup game!

Its a funny group dynamic following the withdrawl of Togo with all teams only playing two games. A defeat for Ghana would leave them needing a win in their last game.

Did anyone else see the borefest that was Gabon v Cameroon? It was like watching 22 of the worst kind of Didier Drogba rolling around on the floor at every opportunity. I was amazed only 6 minutes got added on at the end.

When are FIFA going to do something positive about this disease which is ruining the game?

Bollocks, Ivory Coast 2-0 up. Want Drogba to win the competition but want him back here more!!

Anyone seen Kalou's haircut? Fail. Must be sold now, disgusting.

Drogba and Essien collide and Essien stays down shaking his head looking devastated.

"this may be dreadful news for Ghana"

f**k OFF!!!!!! What about us!!!!!????

I turned on just as he was being stretchered off! Couldnt believe what i was seeing.

He came back on though and didnt look happy it had to be said. No way he was fit enough to play in this match.

With any luck they will draw the next match and he can come back to Chelsea and get some proper r'n'r.

Drogba and Essien collide and Essien stays down shaking his head looking devastated.

"this may be dreadful news for Ghana"

f**k OFF!!!!!! What about us!!!!!????

From Chelsea website:

"A minute later there was huge scare for Chelsea and Ghana fans when Essien and Drogba collided in a challenge and the midfielder was hurt. First carried off in pain, he did return to the pitch with a hobble and reduced effectiveness, although he would later shoot wide from the edge of the area."

Let's hope it isn't too serious, and Ghana get knocked out in their next game to get him back to our physio pronto.

From Chelsea website:

"A minute later there was huge scare for Chelsea and Ghana fans when Essien and Drogba collided in a challenge and the midfielder was hurt. First carried off in pain, he did return to the pitch with a hobble and reduced effectiveness, although he would later shoot wide from the edge of the area."

Let's hope it isn't too serious, and Ghana get knocked out in their next game to get him back to our physio pronto.

Essien getting injured again is the least that we need at the moment. We have missed him bady when he was injured last month. Hopefully he will be able to play as soon as possible when he gets back. On the positive side it is nice to see Didier Drogba on the scoresheet. I like it when our boys do well while on international duty.

Can't be too bad if he played out the rest of the match. The guardian's minute by minute said they'd never seen anyone so distressed about injuring an opponent as Drogba was. Good to see the big guy still has his eye on the ball.

Essien's back? ALREADY?

So much for him not going to the Cup of Nations...

Am I the only one who feel that Essien was rushed to fitness to be able to take part in the ACN?

He's clearly not 100% fit and it's not like it was a minor injury he had before.

If he gets a knock and has to miss a bunch of games for Chelsea I will be seriously pissed off.

Oh how I wish they could place the ACN in the summer instead of in the middle of a season.

Cant so the ACN in summer as that is their rainey season....and by rainey season I mean they probably get in 2 days what England gets in rain for a whole year.

Ya Essien was rushed, I never doubted that. I appreciate that representing your country is important, but a country shouldnt be able to rush a player...especially when a club has invested/pay thats palyer a princes ransom. Im hoping Chelsea will get compensation from FIFA or w/e if he missed games due to an injury he picked up/aggrivated at the ACN.

Heres some player ratings from goal.com for this match

http://goal.com/en-us/news/84/africa/2010/...-player-ratings

Congratulations Drogba!

Essien's back? ALREADY?

So much for him not going to the Cup of Nations...

Not quite, if Ghana lose to Bukina Faso or something then he's coming back!

Edited January 16, 201016 yr by Ruh Buh Juh

even if Ghana draw to Bukina Faso he will back

"Kalou: 7 - Timed his run to perfection for his side's opening goal and was a menace down the right. The less said about his mohawk the better..."

Interesting...

Can't be too bad if he played out the rest of the match. The guardian's minute by minute said they'd never seen anyone so distressed about injuring an opponent as Drogba was. Good to see the big guy still has his eye on the ball.

He only stayed out there because they had used all their subs. He was a long, long way from making any kind of contribution.

Breaking news just now on Talkscouse: Essien taken to hospital. Apparently football related.

Sounds very grim for us, and him.