Hot weather and poor nature of pitch affected our game - Drogba

(From William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent in Cabinda, Angola, courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Cabinda, Angola, Jan. 18, GNA - Cote D'Ivoire striker Didier Drogba has said the hot weather condition in Cabinda and the poor state of the pitch at the Estado Nacionale Do Chiazi in Cabinda had a toll on their pattern of their play in the competition.

Speaking at press conference after the 3-1 trouncing of Ghana, the Chelsea striker said the hot condition made playing difficult because they get easily exhausted, explaining that their performance in the first and last quarter of the first half gives credence to that. Drogba added that the nature of the pitch is bad and makes playing a difficult task, but noted that that "there is nothing we could do about it. "We have to manage the situation and do our best in the circumstances that we find ourselves as the competition progresses". The striker stated.

Asked whether he would wish a move to Luanda, the striker who scored the third goal for the Elephants' said, they were comfortable with Cabinda, adding that "the people are nice and we will like to stay here for other games". His views were corroborated by the head coach of the Elephants, Vahid Halilhodzic who said at the press conference that their game plan was hampered by the poor nature of the pitch. He said the soggy nature of the pitch made ball control and execution of set pieces a difficult assignment, since they have to struggle at every moment to carry out their game plan.

Coach Halilhodzic said his charges also had difficulties with the weather but was quick to add that they were prepared to stay on in Cabinda if the need arises. The coach said they have received a nice reception from the people of Cabinda with their massive support since the competition commenced and the only way to reward them is to remain in the Province for their yet to be known opponents in the quarter finals.

Cote D'Ivoire now have four points credit and look likely to top the group as Burkina Faso will need to beat Ghana by a higher margin to overtake them whilst a win for Ghana over their northern neighbours will automatically hand them the second position on the table. From all indications, it looks like the Ivorians will top Group B with four points and this will keep them at Cabinda for their quarter final game. The Province of Cabinda has been extremely hot even though there have been series of heavy downpours even on the match day of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.