Didier Drogba has hit back at Ivoirian journalists who blame him and the squad for the Elephants’ woes.
The Galatasaray striker will be playing in his first official match for Ivory Coast since the end of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, when they turn out against Morocco on September 7.
Drogba returned to the national set-up in last month’s friendly against Mexico, a 4-1 defeat which saw him rekindle his criticism of the media.
Local media laid on several attacks on the 35-year-old, Yaya Toure and head coach Sabri Lamouchi, suggesting there isn’t much of a future for the team should the trio remain on board.
“The problem is that each time the team fails somewhere in a competition our own journalists tear us down and expose us to the world,” Drogba told reporters as Ivory Coast prepare for their World Cup qualifier against the Atlas Lions.
“They say we are worthless, unpatriotic, arrogant, etc.
They forget that we don’t come to play for our country because of money.
They forget we are more frustrated than fans and officials each time we lose.
They forget that no player will intentionally miss a penalty or deliver a bad assist.
It hurts us when we read or hear these things,” he concluded.
Drogba reaffirmed his stance that the team will do their best for the national team, but demanded that the press stop being pessimistic.
