IVORY Coast superstar Didier Drogba's participation in the Mandela Challenge against Bafana Bafana in Port Elizabeth on November 12 is hanging in the balance.
Drogba's English Premiership club Chelsea will take advantage of his suspension and coming international break to have him undergo surgery to remove screws inserted in his arm in a previous operation.
The popular marksman, who was sent off against Queens Park Rangers on October 23, is set to return to action in a league game against Liverpool on November 20.
Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas said: "We took the risk based on his domestic suspension and the forthcoming international break to remove six of the eight screws from his arm."
Drogba sustained the injury in May last year.
Safa chief executive Robin Petersen could not be reached for comment yesterday, but he was confident at the launch of the tournament last week that Ivory Coast would send their big-name stars for the encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Drogba made his international debut for Ivory Coast when they were defeated 2-0 by Bafana Bafana in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nationals qualifier in Polokwane in 2003. - additional reporting by AP
Drogba may miss SA trip
IVORY Coast superstar Didier Drogba's participation in the Mandela Challenge against Bafana Bafana in Port Elizabeth on November 12 is hanging in the balance.
Drogba's English Premiership club Chelsea will take advantage of his suspension and coming international break to have him undergo surgery to remove screws inserted in his arm in a previous operation.
The popular marksman, who was sent off against Queens Park Rangers on October 23, is set to return to action in a league game against Liverpool on November 20.
Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas said: "We took the risk based on his domestic suspension and the forthcoming international break to remove six of the eight screws from his arm."
Drogba sustained the injury in May last year.
Safa chief executive Robin Petersen could not be reached for comment yesterday, but he was confident at the launch of the tournament last week that Ivory Coast would send their big-name stars for the encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Drogba made his international debut for Ivory Coast when they were defeated 2-0 by Bafana Bafana in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nationals qualifier in Polokwane in 2003. - additional reporting by AP
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