Didier Drogba's election hopes suffer serious blow after association of Footballers rejected his bid

Didier Drogba’s hopes of becoming the next president of the Ivory Coast’s football federation has suffered a major blow after the failure of his fellow players to support his candidacy.

The association, whose secretary general is former Drogba’s national teammate Aruna Dindane, overwhelmingly picked Diallo over Drogba.

“The majority of our members decided to grant our endorsement to the list led by Mr. Idriss Diallo,” said a statement by the Association of Ivorian Footballers, adding they were remaining loyal to a grouping formed three years ago to contest the elections, before Drogba had declared his candidacy.