Chelsea legend Drogba snubbed again by Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN: Veteran striker Didier Drogba was again left out of the Ivory Coast squad when coach Sabri Lamouchi unveiled his 26 players for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Tanzania.

The 35-year-old Drogba led his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa this year but the team exited at the quarter-finals stage.
As a result, the former Chelsea star was axed from the squad for March's World Cup qualifier against Gambia.

Despite Drogba's 96 caps and 60 international goals, Lamouchi has resisted the urge to recall the Galatasaray veteran.

Ivory Coast lead their World Cup qualifying group by one point from Tanzania. Morocco have two points while Gambia prop up Group C with one point.

Manchester City's Kolo Toure was also overlooked.

Romaric N'Dri Koffi, who plays for Real Zaragoza in Spain, and Jean-Jacques Gosso, of Turkish side Mersin Idman Yurdu, were recalled.
There are two new names in the squad -- defender Serge Aurier of Toulouse and striker Mathis Bolly from Germany's Fortuna Duesseldorf.
Ivory Coast will face Gambia away on June 8 and Tanzania eight days later in Dar Es Salaam. (AFP)