Nigeria Content Online

Africa’s last
representative at the World Cup, Cote D’Ivoire, will today go into
action when they confront Portugal at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in
Port Elizabeth.

The two sides are
expected to battle it out for the right to qualify in second place for
the round of 16 from Group G – dubbed by many as the “Group of Death”.
World Cup favourites and five time champion Brazil is expected to lead
the group.

Not a sure bet

The fitness of the
Ivorian skipper Didier Drogba remains suspect ahead of this crunch tie
as there have been conflicting reports on his availability for the game
or otherwise.

The Chelsea hit-man
is likely to miss out after breaking his arm during a friendly match
against Japan just days before the start of the World Cup.

Though Drogba is
said to have resumed training after having surgery on his arm,
Elephants head coach, Sven Goran Eriksson has hinted that he has made
contingency plans in case his leading marksman – who scored 37 goals
for Chelsea in all competitions last season – is not fully fit.

Should he be unfit,
CSKA Moscow striker Seydou Doumbia, who replaced him in the friendly
against Japan, is likely to start against the much fancied Portuguese.

Favourable record

Though the two
sides have never met before at any level, the Elephants have a
favourable record against UEFA nations, having chalked up five wins and
four losses in 14 matches.

The showdown with
Portugal is their second meeting against European opposition on the
African continent since the Elephants’ 1-0 victory over Switzerland in
Abidjan on December 2, 1983.

The Ronaldo factor

So much is expected
from the world’s most expensive footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo. Plagued
with injuries during the qualifiers, the Real Madrid star played
onlyseven of Portugal’s 12 matches – and he failed to score. The
playmaker hasn’t scored for the national team since a 1-0 win over
Finland in February 2009, however he netted 33 goals for Real Madrid
(in all competitions) this season.

When it comes to the World Cup, Ronaldo has just a goal to his name
– from the 2006 World Cup.With winger Nani out of the World Cup due to
a bruised collarbone, Portugal may need the 2008 FIFA World Player of
the Year more than ever if it is going to live up to the expectations
of a title contender.