"Proud of making history with the ‘Elephants" - Drogba

Elated Ivory Coast skipper, Didier Drogba, said he’s proud of making history with the ‘Elephants’, after securing a third consecutive FIFA World Cup berth on Saturday.

The Ivorians sealed a 4-2 aggregate victory over the ‘Teranga Lions’ of Senegal after playing out a 1-1 draw in Casablanca, Morocco.

Solomon Kalou netted a last-gasp equaliser, after Moussa Sow had pulled the Senegalese ahead on 77 minutes in the playoff second leg.

Drogba, 35, who led the side to their first World Cup seven years ago in Germany said: “It will be the third World Cup in a row for a small country like Cote d’Ivoire. I’m proud to be part of this adventure and enter the football history of my country with the third consecutive qualification.”

 

Drogba Celebrates with Teammates after Grabbing the 23 Ticket for Next Summer’s World Cup.

The former Chelsea FC of England striker admitted it had not been an easy route to next summer’s soccer showpiece in the South American nation, having to overcome a young and ‘brave’ Senegalese team.

“Senegal never gave up and played bravely,” Drogba added. “We are happy, we will go home and celebrate.”

In their previous two appearances in Germany (2006) and South Africa (2010), Drogba and his teammates have failed to inspire a second round progress but the former African Player of the Year insists they are willing to improve in Brazil.

“We want to do better at next year’s World Cup. The previous two were difficult,” he opined.