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Preview: Ivory Coast v Portugal (Tue)

by Setanta.com staff , 14 June 2010

Sven Goran Eriksson's Ivory Coast start their World Cup campaign with a clash against Portugal at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.


The African side are still sweating on the fitness of star striker Didier Drogba, who broke his arm during a clash with Japan just before the start of the tournament.

Seydou Doumbia replaced the 32-year-old Chelsea star against Takeshi Okada's side and he is likely to step in alongside Salomon Kalou should Drogba fail to make it, while Kolo Toure will step in as captain.

Eriksson will be on intimate terms with Portugal after they knocked his England side out of both Euro 2004 and the last World Cup in Germany.

Carlos Queiroz has some big decisions to make on the wing, following the withdrawal of Manchester United's Nani due to injury. Simao Sabrosa has struggled for form and fitness for the last year at Atletico Madrid, while Danny put in an impressive performance in the friendly win over Mozambique.

Doubts remain over Real Madrid's Pepe, who has been out for a lengthy spell with a knee injury.

Most of Portugal's hopes rest on Cristiano Ronaldo, who enjoyed a successful first season in Madrid. However, the former World Player of the Year failed to score in seven qualifying matches before succumbing to injury.

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